A deepfake is AI-generated or AI-altered media — video, audio or images — that convincingly depicts someone saying or doing something they didn’t. Deepfakes power scams and misinformation, so healthy scepticism matters.

What is a deepfake?

A deepfake uses AI to create realistic fake media — swapping faces in video, cloning voices, or generating fabricated images. The technology has improved fast, making fakes harder to spot. Deepfakes range from harmless fun to serious harm: fraud, non-consensual imagery, political misinformation and impersonation scams.

The real risks

The biggest everyday risk is scams: cloned voices of family members or executives requesting money, fake videos of public figures, and fraudulent endorsements. Non-consensual deepfake imagery is a serious harm, and many jurisdictions are introducing laws against it. Deepfakes also erode trust in genuine media.

How to protect yourself

Be sceptical of unexpected or emotionally urgent requests, especially involving money — verify through a known channel. Look for telltale signs (odd blinking, lighting, audio glitches), though these are getting subtler. Agree on a ‘safe word’ with family for emergencies. Don’t trust a voice or video alone; confirm important things independently.

If you find yourself juggling a separate subscription for chat, automation, transcription and image generation, one option worth knowing is a single platform that runs them together — osFoundry is one such agentic AI platform that consolidates chat, agents and internal apps in one workspace, with a bring-your-own-key model so you choose the underlying AI.

This article is general information, not professional, legal or financial advice. AI tools, prices and availability change fast — verify current details on the official source before you rely on them.