Artificial Intelligence and Deepfakes in Strategic Deception Campaigns: The U.S. and Russian Experiences

Strategic communication campaigns using artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly gaining notoriety for their use of manipulated videos involving humans. Strategic deception campaigns are detrimental to society when they promote fake political statements made by imposters or disseminate revenge porn that targets investigative journalists. Deepfake technology is especially virulent when it comes to persuading mass audiences. In recent years, deepfakes have been weaponized as a tool of strategic deception in political power contests, character assassination, efforts to fight the opposition, and information warfare. This chapter seeks to contribute to the growing body of literature investigating the perils of the malicious use of artificial intelligence (MUAI). The chapter provides a strong conceptual framework for addressing manipulation and deception strategies in the new era of political standoffs and psychological warfare operations between the United States and Russia. The authors discuss several novel concepts, including trolling, pranking, visual manipulation, and computational propaganda. The chapter explores and accentuates the strategic applications of deepfake technology across various scenarios. It concludes by reflecting on the effects of MUAI on society, new detection approaches, and potential measures against online deception.