A deepfake is AI-generated or AI-altered image, audio or video that looks or sounds like a real person, place or event but is not authentic.
In plain words
Generative models can now produce convincing faces, voices and video. A deepfake uses them to show someone saying or doing something they never did. Some are openly part of artistic, satirical or fictional work; others can mislead people because they seem real. Laws such as the EU AI Act require that deepfakes be disclosed as artificial.
A quick example
Imagine a scammer who clones a manager's voice from online videos and phones an employee asking for an urgent payment. The voice sounds real, but it is a deepfake. Checking through a second channel, such as calling back on a known number, exposes it.
Where you'll meet it
- Film, satire and creative work, with disclosure.
- Rules that require AI-made media to be labelled, such as the EU AI Act.
Related
Sources
- DocsAI Act, Article 3: Definitions, European Commission (AI Act Service Desk) · read 29 Sept 2026
- DocsAI Act, Article 50: Transparency obligations, European Commission (AI Act Service Desk) · read 29 Sept 2026
- DocsAI Act enters into force, European Commission · read 29 Sept 2026
Checked by WhatIsAI against the sources above · 29 Sept 2026. Spotted an error? Report it.