PM Modi Raises Alarm On AI Misuse For Deepfake Videos, Calls For Responsible Use Of Technology

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (17 November) highlighted the misuse of artificial intelligence in producing deepfake videos, calling it a "big concern".

The Prime Minister said that he has asked the ChatGpt team to identify deepfakes and alert users when these videos are distributed online.

Additionally, the Prime Minister referred to a deepfake video featuring him performing Garba.

"I recently saw a video in which I was seen singing a Garba song. There are many other such videos online," said PM Modi.

While speaking to reporters at the BJP's Diwali Milan event at their Delhi headquarters, he also urged the media to raise public awareness about this matter.

"During the times of Artificial Intelligence, it is important that technology should be used responsibly," he said.

PM Modi's comments came in the wake of emergence of deepfake videos on social media, featuring morphed faces of actors Rashmika Mandanna, Katrina Kaif, and Kajol, which sparked significant public backlash.

Numerous individuals in the movie industry, including renowned actor Amitabh Bachchan, have brought attention to this issue and demanded legal measures.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology last week issued an advisory to social media platforms, underlining the legal provisions that cover such deepfakes and the penalties their creation and circulation may attract.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that it is a "legal obligation" for online platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated that online platforms are legally bound to curb the dissemination of misinformation.

"Remove any such content when reported within 36 hours of such reporting and ensure expeditious action, well within the timeframes stipulated under the IT Rules 2021, and disable access to the content or information," the statement said.

Furthermore, the minister added that the government is committed to ensuring safety and trust for Indians in the digital space.

The Centre has said that creation and circulation of deepfakes carry strong penalty - Rs 1 lakh in fine and three years in jail.