Tag: Deepfake

Tencent Cloud Launches Deepfake Generator

by Blockchain News

Deepfake Generator, a New Service Offered by Tencent Cloud, Gives Users the Ability to Generate Fake Videos of Other People

A new digital person production platform has been introduced by Tencent Cloud, the cloud services provider of the Chinese tech giant Tencent. This platform makes use of deepfake technology in order to generate fake films of humans. Users are able to make convincing films using the platform, which is powered by Tencent’s in-house artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The movies can be generated using a three-minute video clip and 100 words of audio content.

Scammers are using deepfake videos an increasing amount to imitate renowned personalities in order to deceive investors. These films have gotten more popular. Even Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has fallen victim to deepfakes, prompting him to issue a warning about the growing number of impersonators who use his picture to promote cryptocurrency schemes.

According to Jiemian, a local media site, the deepfake generator on Tencent Cloud can analyze and train itself on three-minute films and 100 speech samples, generating a convincing deepfake video within twenty-four hours. The price of the service is about equivalent to $145 or 1,000 yuan. According to a report from a major media site known as The Register, Tencent has purportedly acknowledged the breakthrough and underlined the fact that the service is capable of developing deepfakes in both Chinese and English.

The development of digital people may be done in one of five different forms, including 3D realistic, 3D semi-realistic, 3D cartoon, and 2D real person and cartoon respectively. Tencent plans to leverage the service in order to offer live-streamed infomercials aimed at the Chinese audience. In addition, the company sees a number of additional possible uses for the service, such as representing attorneys, physicians, and other professions.

Tencent isn’t the only Chinese tech company working on their own version of generative AI tools to compete with market leader ChatGPT. Huawei and Baidu are also working on their own versions of these tools. Concerns have been raised, however, concerning the ethical implications of deepfake technology and its ability to be exploited for fraudulent or harmful reasons. This is because of the technology’s potential for abuse. As a consequence of this, it is essential for businesses such as Tencent to make certain that their deepfake generating platform is used in an ethical manner and with the right precautions taken.

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Musician sells rights to deepfake her voice using NFTs

by Cointelegraph

American musician and composer Holly Herndon seems to be capitalizing on the principle of deep-fake technology by allowing fans to use a digital version of herself to create original artwork they can then sell.

According to a Thursday announcement from Herndon on Twitter, users who want to make their own deepfakes using the musician’s unique voice and image will have the opportunity to sell their minted creations using nonfungible token, or NFT, marketplace Zora. Herndon said fans can submit their digital copies to be approved by the project’s DAO and would receive 50% of any auction profits.

The project said it would initially release three “genesis” Holly+ NFTs along with submissions from the public, which will be minted using a smart contract and auctioned on Zora next month. Users will receive half of any profits, with 40% given to the DAO and the remainder to Herndon herself. The reserve price for two of the genesis NFTs is 15 Ether (ETH) — roughly $48,150 at the time of publication.

“Creating work with the voices of others is something to embrace,” said Herndon. “Anyone can submit artwork using my likeness.”

Related: Deep Truths of Deepfakes — Tech That Can Fool Anyone

Herndon’s digital twin — called Holly+ — may have significant implications for artists wanting to maintain control over their image and voice. Though the musician’s first two NFTs are seemingly unlikely to be mistaken for a natural speaking or singing voice, deepfakes have often been used to spread misinformation or otherwise manipulate the truth.

In this case, with the artist’s consent and encouragement, and with the technology likely to improve in the future, more realistic — and profitable — digital versions of Herndon could arise. At the moment, the DAO offers a check for profiting on non-approved voice clips.

“Vocal deepfakes are here to stay,” said Herndon for the release of Holly+ last month. “A balance needs to be found between protecting artists, and encouraging people to experiment with a new and exciting technology. That is why we are running this experiment in communal voice ownership.”