AI-generated images and videos aren’t just a global problem. They’re hitting close to my home country, Bangladesh too. Over the past few years, we’ve seen how these tools can be weaponized to spread propaganda and ruin reputations on social media platforms like facebook and youtube.
One major issue is the use of deepfake videos to create fake scandals. There have been several cases where people’s (specially well known or famous ) faces were edited into nude or embarrassing videos, which then went viral on Facebook or YouTube. These videos are nearly impossible to distinguish from real footage, and they’ve been used to destroy the public image of politicians, activists, and even ordinary citizens. In some cases, victims have reported facing social hate, job loss, and even threats to their safety after these videos circulated online (The Daily Star, 2024).
On the propaganda side, AI-generated images and videos have been used to spread misinformation during elections or political movements. Fake photos of protests, violence, or “evidence” of corruption have been circulated to manipulate public opinion. Since many people in Bangladesh get their news from social media, these images went viral before anyone has a chance to fact-check them (Dhaka Tribune, 2023).
The scary part is that there aren’t strong laws or technical safeguards in place yet to stop this. Even when deepfakes are exposed, the damage is often already done. General people tend to believe what they see first, even if it’s fake. This creates a huge ethical dilemma: How do we balance the creative potential of AI with the need to protect people from harm?
Personally, I think we need tougher regulations and better digital literacy so people can spot fake content. But until then, the risk of AI-generated propaganda and fake scandals in Bangladesh is only going to get worse.
References:
- Dhaka Tribune: Deepfakes and Bangladesh general election (2023)
- The Daily Star: Deepfakes demystified: An introduction to the controversial AI tool (2023)
- The Daily Star: Deepfake video targeting Gaibandha-1 candidate surfaces on Facebook (2024)