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Tech & Science dictionary results for deepfake

deepfake

American  

[deep-feyk] / ˈdipˌfeɪk /

Or deep fake

noun

1. a fake, digitally manipulated video or audio file produced by using deep learning, an advanced type of machine learning, and typically featuring a person’s likeness and voice in a situation that did not actually occur.

   Pornographic deepfakes have caused real harm to women whose faces have been superimposed over those of porn actresses.

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Etymology

Origin of deepfake

First recorded in 2015–20; deep (learning) ( def. ) + fake ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

A deepfake is an altered photo or video that's completely different from the original but still looks totally realistic. A film that appears to show your school principal winning the U.S. Open — it's probably a deepfake. Deepfakes are manipulated recordings that are made using artificial intelligence. Unlike older techniques for creating false images, deepfakes seem so authentic that you're not sure what's true and what isn't. They can be used for entertainment, to bring back long-dead Hollywood stars or swap characters from different movies. But deepfakes are often intended to deliberately mislead people by spreading fake (but real-looking) information. Deepfake was coined in 2017.

Example Sentences

"Deepfake medical images often look too perfect," Dr. Tordjman said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

Deepfake therapy of the kind vd Roest tried is closely monitored by clinicians, and the avatar is voiced by a trained clinician.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

Newsom’s office noted that AB 2655, known as the Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024, exempts parody and satire content.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2024

"Deepfake," uses AI to impersonate the voices,, lyrics, or sound of established artists, often without their consent.

From DOGO News • Sep. 26, 2023

In recent years, Big Tech companies have made efforts to detect and counter deepfakes on their platforms - with Meta and Microsoft among stakeholders launching the Deepfake Detection Challenge for AI researchers in 2019.

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2022