I am seriously considering to report: Javed Akhtar slams his AI-generated video

The digital landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by the unprecedented advancements in Artificial Intelligence, particularly generative AI models. While these technologies promise immense creative and economic opportunities, they also present significant challenges, one of the most insidious being the proliferation of 'deepfakes'. These highly realistic, AI-generated synthetic media, whether video, audio, or images, are capable of depicting individuals saying or doing things they never did, blurring the lines between reality and fabrication. The recent incident involving renowned Indian lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar serves as a stark reminder of this growing menace.

Javed Akhtar publicly denounced a "fake computer-generated picture" video circulating online. This AI-generated content depicted an altered image of him wearing a 'topi' (a cap often associated with certain religious communities in India) and falsely claimed his religious conversion. Akhtar emphatically stated, "I am seriously considering to report" the circulation of this deceptive content, highlighting the personal distress and potential damage to reputation caused by such misinformation. This event is not an isolated incident but part of a global trend where deepfakes are increasingly being weaponized for various malicious purposes, from character assassination to political destabilization.

Key stakeholders in this issue include the individuals targeted by deepfakes (like Javed Akhtar), who face reputational damage, emotional distress, and potential social backlash. Social media platforms and other online intermediaries are crucial stakeholders, as they are the primary conduits for the spread of deepfakes. Their responsibility, often debated, involves implementing robust content moderation policies, investing in AI detection tools, and ensuring swift removal of harmful content. The government, as a regulator, plays a pivotal role in establishing legal frameworks to combat deepfakes, protect citizens' rights, and ensure digital safety. Finally, the general public is a critical stakeholder, needing to develop digital literacy skills to discern genuine content from synthetic media and resist the urge to share unverified information.

For India, a diverse nation with a large internet user base and a vibrant democratic setup, the implications of deepfakes are profound. Socially, false narratives, especially those touching upon sensitive topics like religious conversion, can exacerbate communal tensions, incite hatred, and disrupt public order. Politically, deepfakes pose a significant threat to democratic processes, potentially manipulating public opinion during elections, discrediting political figures, or spreading propaganda. Economically, they can be used for financial fraud, stock manipulation, or damaging corporate reputations. The incident underscores the vulnerability of even prominent public figures to such attacks, raising concerns about the safety and integrity of the digital space for all citizens.

This issue brings into sharp focus several constitutional provisions and legal frameworks. While Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, this right is not absolute. Article 19(2) allows for reasonable restrictions on grounds such as defamation, public order, decency or morality, and incitement to an offence. Deepfakes that spread misinformation or promote enmity clearly fall under these restrictions. Furthermore, the right to reputation and privacy, implicitly protected under Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), is directly jeopardized by the creation and dissemination of deepfakes. Legally, the Information Technology Act, 2000, provides some recourse, particularly Sections 66D (punishment for cheating by personation by using computer resource) and 67 (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form), though these are not specifically designed for deepfakes. The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, mandate intermediaries to exercise due diligence and remove unlawful content upon receiving knowledge. However, a dedicated legal framework specifically addressing deepfakes with stringent penalties and clear intermediary liabilities is still evolving, with the proposed Digital India Act expected to fill this void.

The historical context of misinformation is as old as communication itself, but deepfakes represent an unprecedented leap in the sophistication and scale of deceptive content. From manipulated photographs in the early 20th century to doctored videos, the tools have evolved. However, AI-driven deepfakes are distinct due to their hyper-realism and ease of production, making them difficult to detect without specialized tools. The future implications are multi-faceted: technologically, there's a race between deepfake generation and detection; legally, governments worldwide are grappling with regulatory responses, balancing free speech with the need to combat misinformation; and socially, there's an urgent need for enhanced digital literacy and critical thinking among the populace. India's response will set crucial precedents for digital governance in the age of AI, impacting individual rights, national security, and the integrity of its democratic institutions.