Introduction

First appearing on Reddit in 2017, deepfakes quickly established themselves as one of the most troubling and innovative manifestations of artificial intelligence. According to Deeptrace, around 15,000 deepfake videos were already circulating in 2019—a number that continues to grow with technological advancements. In response to this alarming proliferation, major digital players have strengthened their tools to detect and counter falsified content. In Africa, several countries, as well as regional institutions such as the African Union, are stepping up efforts to secure and regulate the digital space. They are adapting their legal frameworks to effectively combat disinformation.

What is a Deepfake?

The first processes similar to deepfakes appeared as early as 1997, initially designed for movie dubbing. It was not until twenty years later that a Reddit user popularized the term “deepfake.” A deepfake, or hypertrucage in French, is a hybrid term derived from Deep Learning and fake. It refers to AI-generated content capable of eerily imitating a person’s voice and appearance. Technically, this technology relies on synthesis software that combines and overlays existing audio or video files to create a new falsified sequence. Through this method, it becomes possible to make a public figure say or do virtually anything, using nothing more than readily available online images or recordings. Politicians, artists, leaders, or even ordinary citizens can thus be unwillingly turned into protagonists of fake news or viral hoaxes.

How to Spot a Deepfake?

Despite technological progress, certain red flags still give deepfakes away, such as eyes: infrequent blinking, a “fixed” gaze, poorly coordinated eye movements; facial expressions: missing micro-expressions, emotions that don’t “reach” the eyes; morphology: a head slightly misaligned with the body, “stitched” face transitions; skin: abnormal tones and pixelated areas; lighting: inconsistent highlights and shadows that do not follow natural volumes; and audio: frequent lip-sync issues, especially in fast-paced sentences.

Reflexes to Avoid Falling into the Trap

To guard against deepfakes, it is essential to adopt systematic digital hygiene, including strong authentication procedures. Some companies have decided to reinforce cybersecurity by monitoring their official channels and integrating digital fingerprints. Platforms, for their part, have implemented automated detectors to flag AI-generated content.

Conclusion

The scientific and industrial communities are mobilizing. Open databases (such as the one released by major players in 2019, containing thousands of synthetic videos) have accelerated the training of automated detectors. Yet, the fight remains asymmetrical: the more detection improves, the more generators refine their methods. Hence the need to combine technology, public education, and regulatory action. Constant vigilance and interdisciplinary collaboration are indispensable to protect our democracies and the societies of the future.