New Yorkers Are Worried About AI Deepfakes

A new study found that New Yorkers are among the most concerned people in the country when it comes to AI deepfakes. New York ranked third in the nation for online searches about deepfakes, showing that people are trying to learn more about it and how to avoid being tricked.

What Is a Deepfake?

A deepfake is a fake photo, video, or audio recording made with artificial intelligence. It can make it look like someone said something that they never said or did something they never actually did. Some deepfakes are created as jokes, but others are used to spread false information or scam people.

New Yorkers Are Searching for Information

The study found that people in New York search for deepfake-related topics more than 14,000 times each month. New Yorkers are searching for information about deepfakes at a rate that is more than 50% higher than the rest of the country.

Only Two States Ranked Higher

New York ranked third on the list. Only Nevada and California had more deepfake-related searches. Washington and Hawaii rounded out the top five. Neighboring states Massachusetts and New Jersey also made the top 10.

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Why Are People Concerned?

Deepfakes have become more common in recent years. As AI technology improves, fake videos, photos, and voice recordings are becoming harder to spot. Some criminals use deepfakes in scams, while others use them to spread false information online. That has many people looking for ways to tell what is real and what is fake.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

It is important not to believe everything you see online right away. If a video, photo, or recording seems unusual, take a moment to see if it is coming from a trusted source. Looking at multiple trusted sources can also help you avoid being fooled.

More New Yorkers are paying attention to deepfakes as artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of everyday life. Do you think that you can spot the difference? Take this test below.