Several EU governments are also deploying the technology in their communications, ranging from posts by the German chancellor to teach people about artificial intelligence to deepfake videos from the Hungarian prime minister attacking Brussels.
While Brussels’ stance is designed to protect the credibility of messaging, it is also raising questions about the EU’s ability to remain relevant in an era of political communications in which the creative use of AI is on the rise.
The EU is “rightfully thinking first and foremost about risks: whether their content may be perceived as deceptive or harmful, whether it impersonates reality, and whether they can offer clear accountability and disclosure,” said Alexandru Voica, head of policy at the U.K.-based video generator Synthesia.
But several questioned whether an outright ban makes the most sense as fast-moving geopolitical crises raise the stakes for institutions to have the strongest possible presence online.
The risk that deepfakes could erode trust “should not paralyze you into doing nothing,” said Renout Van Zandycke, who runs the Belgian communications agency Exposure, which has advised several political parties. “Doing nothing is equally as bad.”
“Responsible use beats abstinence,” said Walter Pasquarelli, an adviser to the OECD who also researches AI-generated content at the University of Cambridge.