This book examines the use and potential impact of deepfakes a type of synthetic
computer-generated media primarily images and videos capable of both creating artificial
representations of non-existent individuals and showing actual individuals doing things they
did not do. As such deepfakes pose an obvious threat of manipulation and unsurprisingly have
been the subject of a great deal of alarmism in both the news media and academic articles.
Hence this book sets out to critically evaluate potential threats by analyzing human
susceptibility to manipulation and using that as a backdrop for a discussion of actual and
likely uses of deepfakes. In contrast to the usual threat narrative this book will put forward
a multi-sided picture of deepfakes exploring their potential and that of adjacent technologies
for creative use in domains ranging from film and advertisement to painting. The challenges
posed by deepfakes are further evaluated with regard to present or forthcoming legislation and
other regulatory measures. Finally deepfakes are placed within a broader cultural and
philosophical context focusing primarily on posthumanist thought. Therefore this book is a
must-read for researchers students and practitioners of political science and other
disciplines interested in a better understanding of deepfakes.
