Tencent Cloud, the cloud service provider arm of the Chinese tech giant Tencent, has recently launched a digital human production platform that allows users to create deepfake videos of any individual based on just a three-minute video clip and 100 sentences of voice material. While such technology has interesting applications, such as hosting live-streamed infomercials for Chinese audiences, this development raises concerns about its potential misuse in promoting scams, particularly within the cryptocurrency market.
Leveraging Tencent’s advanced AI capabilities, this platform can analyze and train on the given video and voice clips to create a realistic deepfake video within just 24 hours. Priced at around 1,000 yuan ($145), the service currently offers the creation of digital humans in five styles, ranging from 3D realistic to 2D cartoon versions.
Tencent’s effort brings forth both excitement and skepticism. On one hand, this technology can be used for creating digital representations of professionals like doctors and lawyers, opening up new possibilities and expanding user experiences. Simultaneously, other Chinese tech giants such as Huawei and Baidu are also working on their own generative AI tools to rival market leader ChatGPT, further advancing the AI-powered ecosystem.
However, on the other hand, this technology comes with a dark side. As deepfake generators become more sophisticated, scammers have been using fake videos to deceive and manipulate investors. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been impersonated several times to promote cryptocurrency scams, warned against this rising threat in a tweet on May 25.
Considering the potential misapplications of such advanced AI capabilities, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons of these technologies carefully. Undeniably, deepfake generators can significantly transform industries and revolutionize communication with their innovative applications. Yet, the malicious uses of these tools, especially in the context of cryptocurrency scams, cannot be ignored.
Despite the many potential benefits, the core conflict surrounding Tencent’s digital human production platform is its power to produce life-like deepfakes that can be weaponized to deceive and defraud. As a result, questions arise: Are the benefits of technology like Tencent’s deepfake generator worth the risks it poses? Can advanced AI be harnessed for good without enabling the darker side of human nature? Until these questions are addressed, the world of deepfakes and AI technology will continue to be a double-edged sword, simultaneously offering potential benefits and posing significant threats.
