shallowfake

English

Etymology

Compound of shallow +‎ fake, modelled after deepfake. Coined by AI and human rights researcher Sam Gregory.

Noun

shallowfake (plural shallowfakes)

1. (neologism, technology) A misleading or slightly edited piece of media (such as a video clip or image) created using conventional methods, as opposed to AI deep learning algorithms.
   • 2019 March 25, Bobbie Johnson, “Deepfakes are solvable—but don't forget that "shallowfakes" are already pervasive”, in MIT Technology Review‎^[1], Cambridge, M.A.: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-12-04:

     The technology industry has a unique opportunity to tackle "deepfakes"—the problem of fake audio and video created using artificial intelligence—before they become a widespread problem, according to human rights campaigner Sam Gregory. ¶ But, he warns, major companies are still a very long way from tackling the pervasive and more damaging issue of cruder "shallowfake" misinformation.

   • 2020 January 13, Ian Sample, “What are deepfakes – and how can you spot them?”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian‎^[2], London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-12-25:

     Facebook last week banned deepfake videos that are likely to mislead viewers into thinking someone "said words that they did not actually say", in the run-up to the 2020 US election. However, the policy covers only misinformation produced using AI, meaning "shallowfakes" (see below) are still allowed on the platform.

   • 2022 August 26, Sam Gregory, “Shallowfakes are rampant: Tools to spot them must be equally accessible”, in The Hill‎^[3], Washington, D.C.: Nexstar Media Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-03-23:

     Hundreds of articles have focused on these and hypothetical deepfake scenarios and what they mean for the future of video and trust. But despite all this attention, shallowfakes — videos shared with misleading contexts or small edits — are far more widespread and easier to produce.

See also

• cheapfake