Subscribe now

Comment and Technology

Combatting deepfakes is an evolutionary arms race

Disinformation is far older than humans. Lessons from evolutionary biology can help defend against it today, says Jonathan R. Goodman

By Jonathan R. Goodman

13 March 2024

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Simone Rotella

THE recent “Willy’s Chocolate Experience” in Glasgow, UK, brought children to tears, angered parents and was a source of mirth for those who read about it. After seeing online advertising for an apparently lavish event, people paid up to £35 each to attend. But it wasn’t as promised: instead of wondrous creations and an abundance of chocolate, families arrived at a mostly abandoned warehouse featuring a sad-looking bouncy castle and confused actors.

When news networks looked into the event, it emerged that the marketing materials – and the actors’ scripts – were produced by artificial intelligence. The advertising created…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account