Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his team suffered a significant loss in the Super Bowl LIX, being defeated 40-22. Following the game, video creators utilized AI technology to create a deepfake video mocking Mahomes in a surprisingly realistic manner. The video, which featured the fake Mahomes making jokes about himself as well as his teammate Travis Kelce, coach Andy Reid, and even Kelce’s girlfriend Taylor Swift, quickly gained traction on TikTok and YouTube, accumulating millions of views and likes. The creator of the video made sure to label it as AI-generated, using the appropriate tags and watermarks to indicate its nature.
The deepfake AI used in the video was created using Parrot AI, making it difficult to discern that it was generated by AI, especially when viewed on a smartphone from a distance. While there were subtle giveaways, such as the unnatural movement of the fake Mahomes’ mouth and jaw, many viewers on TikTok were still fooled by the realistic portrayal. Despite this, most Chiefs fans took the joke in stride, finding humor in the parody. This video is just one in a series of deepfake AI videos that have been created to poke fun at the Kansas City Chiefs, often revolving around the conspiracy theory that NFL referees favor the team.
Patrick Mahomes is just one of many celebrities who have been targeted in deepfake AI videos, with others including Tom Hanks, Gayle King, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Joe Biden, and more. These videos have raised concerns about the potential for misinformation and the impact of deepfakes on public perception. Platforms like Facebook have taken steps to crack down on celebrity deepfakes and misinformation campaigns, especially after incidents like the false video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directing soldiers to surrender to Russian forces. Tech companies like Google are also working on ways to remove deepfake images from search results in an effort to combat the spread of manipulated content.
The prevalence of deepfake technology highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance when consuming online content, as it becomes increasingly challenging to distinguish between real and manipulated media. While deepfake AI videos can be used for entertainment purposes, they also pose a significant threat in terms of spreading misinformation and potentially damaging the reputation of individuals and public figures. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for both users and platforms to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect against the potential harms of deepfake content.
