‘The Bruce Willis Deepfake Is Everyone’s Problem’
#Deepfake videos are not just significant in their own right — they also offer important insights into the wider digital media environment of the 2020s. @graham_meikle‘s ‘Deepfakes’ is out now: pic.twitter.com/VdiSKUbvDE
— Polity (@politybooks) October 22, 2022
Pocket promoted the following from Wired:
The Bruce Willis Deepfake Is Everyone’s Problem
October 17, 2022
JEAN-LUC GODARD ONCE claimed, regarding cinema, “When I die, it will be the end.” Godard passed away last month; film perseveres. Yet artificial intelligence has raised a kindred specter: that humans may go obsolete long before their artistic mediums do. Novels scribed by GPT-3; art conjured by DALL·E—machines could be making art long after people are gone. Actors are not exempt. As deepfakes evolve, fears are mounting that future films, TV shows, and commercials may not need them at all.
Not even Bruce Willis. Last month the actor had the strange experience of “appearing” in an ad where he was tied to a bomb on the back of a yacht, growling “Mississippi” in a Russian accent. The Telegraph reported the deepfake was possible because he sold his performance rights. That wasn’t quite true—a representative for Willis later told reporters the actor had done no such thing. And as my colleague Steven Levy wrote a few days ago, the company who made the ad—the cheekily named Deepcake—never claimed to hold Willis’ future rights, but had struck a deal that allowed the company to map a digital version of his appearance onto another actor in a commercial for the Russian cell network Megafon. …
Under certain circumstances, deepfake makers are protected by the First Amendment. As one Northwestern University paper put it last year, “the government cannot prohibit speech merely because the speech is false; there must be some additional problem,” like defamation. …
Eventually, AIs trained on Bruce Willis’ likeness won’t need Bruce Willis at all. “If a company can train its AI algorithms to replicate the specific mannerisms, timing, tonality, etc. of a particular actor, it makes the AI-generated content more and more life-like,” says Van Lier. “This can have long-term implications.” In other words, actors—and everyone else—must learn how to protect their digital rights, or they could find themselves performing a role they did not expect. https://www.wired.com/story/bruce-willis-deepfake-rights-law/
Notice also the following:
Banks are required by law to know their customers. Deep fake technology in the hands of outlaws is making that hard job even harder. …
- Deep fake technology is being used to scam banks and their customers in a number of ways, including business email compromise and new account opening.
- Increasing reliance on virtual assistants may make it more challenging for banking institutions to know for sure if it’s dealing with a legitimate customer. 10/04/22 https://www.bai.org/banking-strategies/article-detail/banks-need-to-be-ready-for-better-deep-fakes/
The Apostle Paul warned:
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)
Deepfakes have been part of the deceptive persecution throughout history–and that was before computers.
In the first century, the Apostle Paul wrote:
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, NKJV)
Apparently, the Apostle Paul had to deal with some who faked a letter claiming it was from him as well as reports he said things he did not say. So, he warned Christians about that.
But that, of course, did not stop the fakes.
Various false gospels came out in the 2nd century (for some details, see also Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete?).
In the late 2nd/early 3rd century, a Church of God leader known as Serapion of Antioch used the term pseudepigrapha to warn against something falsely called the Gospel of Peter (Peter did not write it; for more details, see also Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete?).
With modern technology, highly persuasive deceit is possible–and to a degree impossible in Paul’s day.
computer technology and artificial intelligence can make very convincing fakes.
More deep fakes are coming. Some will be used for purpose of deceit and character assassination.
I expect that the time will come when deepfake technolgy will be used to make it seem like I, and others in the CCOG, say and/or do things, that we did not say or do. Actually, I mentioned that in a past sermon:
The letters/epistles of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians were written around 51 A.D. In this sermon, Dr. Thiel goes over each and every verse in 1 First Thessalonians and Second Thessalonians. He goes over them being followers of Jesus who were imitators of the Churches of God in Judea, the fact that they had persecutions and difficulties, and that they were considered fine Christian examples to the Christian brethren in places like Macedonia. Love, hope, faith, and exhortation are discussed. As are prophetic matters concerning the resurrection, return of Jesus, the falling away, and the son of perdition. Dr. Thiel reminds believers that both Jesus and the Apostle Paul taught Christians to “watch’ what is going on so that they would know better than the world what was happening as well as when Jesus was close to returning. He also discussed uncleanness, sexual immorality, and self-control. He encouraged Christians to be kind and comfort one another. He also warned that while Paul faced letters falsely claimed to have been written by him, in the end times technology allows for “deep fakes” and that believers should not be soon shaken when such happens. Dr. Thiel read Paul’s admonishment to work and to not be busybodies–he also referred to the mystery of God’s plan for the purpose of humanity. This sermon is part of a long-running series to cover each and every verse of the New Testament in the Continuing Church of God by going through all the books.
Here is a link to the sermon: 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
Is AI (artificial intelligence) potentially dangerous?
Yes, there are dangers of deep fakes.
The Apostle Paul also warned.
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
Could not “any means” include some type of AI and/or deepfakes?
I believe so.
Consider that faster development of knowledge was prophesied in the Bible to occur during the time of the end:
4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:4, NKJV)
What is called ‘artificial intelligence’ is consistent with that prophecy. Not all increased knowledge is good as humans often do bad things with knowledge.
Here is a definition of AI:
Artificial intelligence (AI, also machine intelligence, MI) is intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence (NI) displayed by humans and other animals. In computer science AI research is defined as the study of “intelligent agents”: any device that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its chance of successfully achieving its goals. Colloquially, the term “artificial intelligence” is applied when a machine mimics “cognitive” functions that humans associate with other human minds, such as “learning” and “problem solving”. (Artificial Intelligence, Wikipedia, accessed 04/10/18)
Years back, I wrote that AI will also be used for things like internet censorship–which is already happening–much more of which is to come (cf. Amos 8:11-12).
Also years back, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel related to AI:
Billionaire Elon Musk declared he was worried that artificial intelligence (AI) may lead to the rise of an “immortal dictator,” a “godlike” entity that could take over the world. Is this accurate, or at least, close in some ways? Does Bible prophecy foretell of the rise of an immoral leader who considers himself above all gods? Will this result in great destruction? What is AI? How might it fit in with various prophecies? Was the increase in technological knowledge we now have prophesied over 2000 years ago? Will 666’s control over buying and selling involve any form of AI? Dr. Thiel goes over many scriptures, including prophetic ones, that involve human knowledge–which is the basis of AI. He also points out that when various prophesies were made, there was no technology capable of fulfilling them, but that because of computers, such ability exists now. Dr. Thiel also points out what Jesus will do about it.
Here is a link: Artificial Intelligence and Prophecy.
Bible prophecy shows that a militaristic European dictator will arise, and will apparently use something like AI.
Related to deepfakes, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
Lies and Deepfakes
Jesus taught that God’s prophets would be reviled and spoken evil of. He also warned that the devil was a liar that worked to take the word of God away from those who heard it. The Apostle Paul warned that “evil men and seducers would wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13, KJV). He also warned that letters purported from him with false messages were an issue. COG leader Serapion of Antioch denounced a gospel falsely attributed to the Apostle Peter as pseudepigrapha. With the internet, lies can spread faster than before. With technology, like artificial intelligence, can we expect to see deepfakes that will make it look like Christian leaders say or do things that they did not? Do you, “prove all things” so you will not fall from the coming increased deceit? Will YOU hold fast to that which is good or be one who “loves and practices a lie’? Dr. Thiel refers to aspects of modern technology and various scriptures to warn Christians to not be misled by what is coming.
Here is a link to the video: Lies and Deepfakes.
Expect deepfakes.
Expect those who do not have the love of the truth to try to make it look like faithful Christian leaders say things they did not say.
Expect those who do not have sufficient love of the truth to believe them.
The Bible also teaches in the last chapter of its last book:
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14-15, NKJV)
Hopefully, you truly do His commandments and have proved the truth.
Do not be among those who will believe and love the coming lies.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work. Here is a link to another: Preparing to Instruct Many.
Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete? Are there lost gospels? What about the Apocrypha? Is the Septuagint better than the Masoretic text? What about the Textus Receptus vs. Nestle Alland? Was the New Testament written in Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew? Which translations are based upon the best ancient text? Did the true Church of God have the canon from the beginning? Here are links to related sermons: Let’s Talk About the Bible, The Books of the Old Testament, The Septuagint and its Apocrypha, Masoretic Text of the Old Testament, and Lost Books of the Bible, and Let’s Talk About the New Testament, The New Testament Canon From the Beginning, English Versions of the Bible and How Did We Get Them?, What was the Original Language of the New Testament?, Original Order of the Books of the Bible, and Who Gave the World the Bible? Who Had the Chain of Custody?
Internet Censorship and Prophecy Are concerns about internet censorship limited to nations such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. But what about the USA, Canada, and Germany? What about the European Union? What about internet media companies such as Facebook, Google, YouTube, or email services like MailChimp? Has the attempt to control information been made by various ones over the centuries? Was the New Testament affected by it? What about the church throughout the centuries? Is the Bible already been partially censored? Which Bible prophecies point to coming Internet censorship? What about the Book of Amos? What about the coming 666 Beast and final Antichrist? Is there anything that can be done about this? Should Philadelphian Christians be working on anything now? Will preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God vs. a highly media-supported alternative lead to a ‘famine of the word’? More internet censorship is coming as various statements in the Bible support. This is a video.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2031 or 20xx? There is also a video titled 6000 Years: When will God’s Kingdom Come? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
Might the U.S.A. Be Gone by 2028? Are there prophetic reasons to believe that the USA will not last two complete presidential terms? Yes. There is a tradition attributed to the Hebrew prophet Elijah that humanity had 6,000 years to live before being replaced by God’s Kingdom. There are scriptures, writings in the Talmud, early Christian teachings that support this. Also, even certain Hindu writings support it. Here is a link to a related video: Is the USA prophesied to be destroyed by 2028? In Spanish: Seran los Estados Unidos Destruidos en el 2028?
The Great Tribulation: What Happens First? What events have happened? What are some events that are now happening? And what events need to happen for the Great Tribulation to start? Here is a link to a related sermon video: Counting Down to the Great Tribulation. Here is a video in the Spanish language: Contando los eventos y el inicio de la Gran Tribulación.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2022, 2023, or 2024? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede la Gran Tribulación comenzar en el 2020 o 2021? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? A related video is: Great Tribulation: 2026 or 2027? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation start in 2022 or 2023? Here is a video in the Spanish language: Es El 2021 el año de La Gran Tribulación o el Grande Reseteo Financiero.
Is a Great Reset Coming? Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum has proposed a societal change that has been basically endorsed by the Vatican and many world leaders. Does the Bible prophesy a major reset? Here is a link to a related video: Will there be a “Great Reset”?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui? Here is a link to a short animation: Which Church would Jesus Choose?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have. Here is a link to two related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan and Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan.
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