New Jersey
New Jersey concerned with deepfake AI. Here’s what deepfake artificial intelligence is
AI deepfakes are on the rise. How can you detect what’s real?
As the use of artificial intelligence escalates, so are scams using “deepfake” technology.
Fox – 5 Atlanta
There are real concerns that deepfake AI will impact the presidential election, and people in New Jersey are among the most concerned.
But what, exactly, is deepfake artificial intelligence? Here’s where the tech stands today, and why there is so much concern surrounding it.
What is a deepfake?
The University of Virginia’s Information and Security Department explains the technology as similar in nature to other image-generating software, but goes much further.
“A deepfake is an artificial image or video (a series of images) generated by a special kind of machine learning called deep’ learning, hence the name,” read the University of Virginia’s deepfake AI explainer. “Deep learning is similar to any kind of machine learning, where an algorithm is fed examples and learns to produce output that resembles the examples it learned from.”
How harmful is deepfake AI?
According to the Society for Human Resource Management, one company was bilked out $25 million in a deepfake scam, during which an employee was conned into making a deal through a deepfaked team meeting.
Global professional services group KPMG also warned of deepfake AI’s maliciousness.
“AI is now being used to alter maps, imagery, X-rays, and is used to generate text and even create realistic artwork,” read KPMG’s deepfake AI assessment. “Deepfakes are close to being readily available for a variety of purposes, not all of which are well-intended.”
New Jersey concerned by deepfake AI impact
New Jersey is among the ten states most concerned by the deepfake AI threat, according to findings from AI platform Plus Docs. Plus Docs based its findings off a review of related Google searches.
New Jersey ranked ninth in Plus Docs fundings, and was the only Mid-Atlantic state in the top ten.
“Deepfakes usually make it appear that someone said something they did not,” read an e-mail from Plus Docs, “often to spread a false narrative with nefarious intentions.”
How much AI will voters see this 2024 election
Craig Holman, a Capitol Hill lobbyist who works in governmental ethics for the nonprofit Public Citizen, believes 2024 will become the first deepfake election cycle, where AI will influence voters and impact election results.
“Artificial intelligence has been around for a while, but only in this election cycle have we seen it advance to the point where most people cannot tell the difference between a deepfake and reality,” Holman said. “It’s sort of breathtaking how good the AI has become.”
Deepfaked videos of Vice President and democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris were shared on the social media platform X, according to published reports.
And a separate published report indicated that republican presidential nominee Donald Trump deepfaked a photo of himself among a throng of Black supporters.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, has been urged to rid X of deepfaked political content.
Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.
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ORANGE, New Jersey (WABC) — Two people were killed after a fast-moving fire tore through a home in New Jersey on Thanksgiving.
Flames broke out around 5 p.m. at the home on Mosswood Avenue in Orange.
The fire department came within minutes, but not before two people inside the home were killed, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Claire Stevens lives a few doors down.
“My grandson was good friends with one of the young people that lived there. And she’s out of the country right now. And I’m just really concerned that maybe, you know, she doesn’t know about her relatives that live in the house that might have been affected by the fire,” Stevens said.
People could be seen keeping warm inside a NJ Transit bus. The American Red Cross says its volunteers provided a family of eight with emergency financial assistance for temporary lodging, food and other needs.
Neighbors are remembering the victims and are praying for the family.
“I just know that they kept their yard really nice and whenever I would go for a walk or run, they were super friendly,” said Matthew Mehr.
Authorities have not released the identity of the victims.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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Emergency food distribution held in Camden County
Communities are continuing to offset the need increased by a pause in November SNAP funding with emergency food distributions.
Although the record-breaking government shutdown has ended, the effects are still being felt nationwide — especially in terms of food.
During the shutdown, recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits lost access. Demand surged at food banks as result, leaving many pantries in a struggle to remain stocked.
Now, with the celebration-packed holiday season in full swing, the need for food remains high for some.
To combat this, New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, announced the launch of endinghungernj.com, an online resource that helps residents find and contribute to local food resources.
“As we approach the holiday season, we are reminded that while many of us are preparing to share meals with the people we love, far too many families are still unsure of how they will put food on the table,” Coughlin said in a press release. “That is not acceptable to me, it is not acceptable in New Jersey, and it is the reason why we’ve taken the position that hunger is not inevitable.
“It’s a problem we can solve when government, nonprofits, businesses, and neighbors all pull in the same direction.”
Endinghungernj.com is to serve as a one-stop resource for New Jersey families, containing a comprehensive directory of food assistance across the state.
The website provides county-by-county listings of food pantries and community food resources, as well as a directory of statewide advocates and information on state initiatives and legislation.
For those interested in supporting hunger-relief efforts, the website also provides ways to help both within your local community and on a wider scale.
“Simply put, New Jersey refuses to let families fall through the cracks and endinghungernj.com is another step in making that a reality,” Coughlin said.
“Whether it’s through impactful legislation, creating partnerships with food banks, or simply lending a helping hand, we’re committed to doing everything we can to make sure every resident has the dignity and the peace of mind that comes with a full plate.”
Risha Inaganti writes about trending topics across South Jersey for the Courier-Post. If you have a story she should tell, email her at rinaganti@usatodayco.com. Subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.
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