They may misuse my voice ...: PM Modi warns about deepfake in chat with Bill Gates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the dangers of deepfakes in a conversation with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently. According to a report in news agency ANI, talking to Gates, PM Modi said that important measures should be taken while using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the contemporary technological world.
During the candid conversation at his residence, PM Modi stressed on the need for global dos and don'ts for using this technology.He underlined the significance of initially using watermarks on AI-generated content to make users aware and prevent misinformation.
"In a vast democratic country like India, the misuse of deep fake technology. For example, they may misuse my voice. It can initially deceive people, leading to widespread chaos. It's crucial to acknowledge that deep fake content is AI-generated and mention its source," PM Modi said while addressing the issue of deep fake.
"These measures are really important, especially in the beginning. We need to establish some Dos and don'ts. Moreover, one should first engage AI within a field of expertise. Simply utilising it because one is "tired" or overutilizing it is not the right approach," he added.
"Addressing the challenges AI presents, I have observed that without proper training, there's a significant risk of misuse when such powerful technology is placed in unskilled hands. I've engaged with leading minds of AI, I suggested that we should start with clear watermarks on AI-generated content to prevent misinformation. This isn't to devalue AI creations but to recognise them for what they are," PM said.
Talking about the importance of data security, the PM said, "Data security remains a paramount concern and while India has a legal framework in place. For instance, I have initiated storing all university certificates in the cloud to reduce costs and fulfill various needs efficiently. Previously, there was a push for stringent compliance requirements. I advocated for simplification, suggesting that data be uploaded to the cloud with shared IDs, enabling us to access necessary information directly. This approach underscores my commitment to leveraging technology not just to enhance services but to significantly improve the ease of living for our citizens."
For the uninitiated, deepfake is a video of a person in which their face or body has been digitally altered so that they appear to be someone else, typically used maliciously or to spread false information.