New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed growing concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating deepfake videos, including those featuring his own.
Speaking at a Diwali event organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the potential consequences of AI-driven deepfake content.
PM Modi disclosed that he had engaged with the ChatGPT team to develop a system that can identify and flag deepfake videos, issuing warnings when such content is circulated online.
The announcement came as the Prime Minister cited a specific instance of a deepfake video depicting him engaging in the traditional Gujarati dance, Garba. “I have not done Garba since school,” PM Modi shared with journalists.
The Prime Minister urged the media to play a proactive role in educating the public about the potential harm caused by such fake videos.
“During the times of Artificial Intelligence, it is important that technology should be used responsibly,” cautioned PM Modi.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come in the wake of increasing concern and outrage surrounding deepfake videos on social media, featuring manipulated faces of popular actors such as Rashmika Mandanna, Katrina Kaif, and Kajol.
These incidents have sparked concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology to create misleading content targeting public figures.
Several prominent voices in the film industry, including actor Amitabh Bachchan, have called for legal action against those responsible for generating deepfake content.
In response to the escalating issue, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued an advisory last week to social media platforms, underlining the legal provisions that govern deepfakes and the penalties for their creation and circulation.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasised the ‘legal obligation’ of online platforms to prevent the spread 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 official statement said.
Chandrasekhar added that the government is committed to ensuring the safety and trust of Indians in the digital space.
The Centre has laid out strict penalties for the creation and circulation of deepfakes, including a ₹1 lakh fine and a three-year jail term.
As the nation grapples with the challenges posed by AI-generated deepfakes, the government remains firm in its commitment to curbing the potential harm caused by such technology.
