Deepfake technology is a major threat not only for artists but also for scientists and doctors.

Recently, deepfake technology has introduced a new dimension to cybercrime, and its victims are not just politicians and celebrities, but also scientists and experts. Deepfake is a technique that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate a person's face, voice, and expressions so realistically that it becomes difficult to tell the difference between real and fake.

Dr. Kgomotso Mathabe, a urologist from South Africa, faced such an incident in January 2024 — a nightmare for any professional. A colleague informed her that a video featuring her was going viral on social media, in which she appeared to be promoting a fake erectile dysfunction drug. The video looked so convincing that even her family and friends questioned her about it.

In reality, it was a deepfake video. Her face and voice were digitally created, and the goal wasn’t just to promote a fake product, but also to defraud people who might share their banking information while trying to buy the drug.

Similar incidents have occurred in India too. For instance, a deepfake video showed diabetes specialist Dr. Viswanathan Mohan speaking in Hindi — a language he doesn’t actually speak. The video was designed to convince people to buy fake herbal products.

Deepfake videos can damage a person's reputation and put their professional career at serious risk. When scientists — whose research and opinions people rely on — become victims of such fraud, it impacts both their personal and professional lives.

To tackle this issue, individuals need to stay alert on social media. If someone becomes a victim of a deepfake, the first step is to report the content to the platform. Prompt action can help reduce the damage. Scientists should also make a habit of saving their original video clips, which can help in exposing fake ones. If a deepfake causes serious harm, it's important to seek legal help or contact the police. In many cases, such actions fall under criminal fraud, and the perpetrators can be punished.

The dangers of deepfake technology cannot be underestimated. It is now a powerful tool for spreading misinformation and threatening professionals' reputations and careers. Although many countries have laws to address such issues, it is not always clear what specific actions should be taken. For example, in South Africa, Dr. Mathabe filed a police complaint but faced difficulties in getting it registered as a cybercrime. In the UK, even the recently implemented Online Safety Act has not been entirely effective in dealing with these kinds of threats.

Addressing this problem requires collective awareness and technical vigilance. Scientists and experts need to stay informed about such technologies and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from falling victim and to safeguard their reputation.

लेजर तकतीक से केंसर का पता लगाना होगा आसान

कैंसर एक गंभीर स्वास्थ्य समस्या है, और इसके जल्दी पहचानने से उपचार की सफलता दर में सुधार हो सकता है। हाल के वर्षों में, वैज्ञानिक नई तकनीकों पर काम कर रहे हैं, जिसमें लेजर लाइट का उपयोग कैंसर का पता लगाने के लिए एक प्रमुख तकनीक बनता जा रहा है।

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