Deepfake porn is pornographic content made or modified with artificial intelligence (AI) software. This software allows people to manipulate the visuals of existing pornography.
Deepfake porn usually looks like it stars well-known public figures, such as actresses and models. However, deepfake porn can look like it stars ordinary citizens or even people who do not exist. The phenomena is cause for concern as the people who have had their image manipulated to appear in the video have rarely given their consent to be seen that way.
Anyone's image may be “deepfaked” in deepfake porn, but women are more commonly deepfaked than men.
Since 2018, more than 14,500 deepfake porn videos have appeared on the DeepTrace Deepfake Database. An estimated 96 percent of deepfake video content is deepfake porn.
One of the most famous deepfake porn videos appeared to feature Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress famous for her role in Wonder Woman. As a relatively early example of deepfaking, it wasn’t perfect. Eagle-eyed observers spotted that the fake face moved in an unnatural way. However, despite its flaws the video still attracted substantial views and comments.
Leading technology platforms including Google and Facebook have spoken out against deepfake porn. Concerned about the impact of deepfake porn on deepfake "stars" how are shown in ways they never agreed to be seen in, they want to make these videos less accessible to online users. App marketplaces have also banned apps which help people make deepfake porn content.
Despite the concerns of these technology giants, deepfake porn is relatively unpopular. Experts say most other types of porn with real actors and actresses receive many more online views than most deepfake porn videos.
Deepfake porn is a form of sex technology, or SexTech for short. As with other forms of SexTech, deepfake porn may be popular with digisexuals. These people find getting their sexual needs met with technology is easier than making connections with human beings. Their sex lives often involve virtual interactions, rather than physical ones.