Satire Versus Illicit: Policy Issues Regarding the Creation of Deepfakes Using AI Technology

The emergence of deepfake technology, which uses artificial intelligence to create hyper-realistic videos or images by superimposing one person's face onto another's body, presents significant legal, ethical, and societal challenges. This study explores public perceptions of deepfakes, focusing on their legality and ethical implications. Participants evaluated various scenarios that differed in purpose (illicit or satirical) and the target's public profile (e.g., celebrity, politician, private citizen). Results revealed a generally negative view of deepfakes, with illicit deepfakes being less acceptable than satirical ones and those involving private citizens deemed the least permissible. Penalties for creators of illicit deepfakes were harsher, particularly when perceived harm and intent to harm were significant factors. The results highlight the importance of developing legal frameworks on deepfake creation, as well as possible practical implications within the realm of forensic psychology.