Tech expert Ali Kingston Mwila has urged social media users to be more vigilant when consuming online content, warning that deepfake videos are increasingly making it difficult for people to distinguish genuine information from manipulated content.
Mwila told Zambian Business Times-ZBT in an exclusive interview that members of the public do not necessarily need advanced technical knowledge to identify some deepfake videos, as there are simple signs they can look out for before believing or sharing content online.
He said one of the easiest ways to detect a manipulated video is by paying attention to the movement of a person’s lips and whether it matches the audio.
“Someone is saying something, but when you look at the lips of the person, it’s like they have translated,” Mwila said.
He explained that users should watch for situations where the voice appears to be ahead of or behind the person’s mouth movements, adding that unnatural facial expressions can also indicate that a video has been manipulated.
Mwila said users could also examine the background of a video, particularly when the person is moving, as some manipulated videos may show unusual lagging or inconsistencies between the person and their surroundings.
“These, you don’t need to be someone technical. Even on the photos, there are times when you can tell, no, this photo was just a crop,” he said.
Mwila further advised users to look closely at the edges of images, where inserted or manipulated photographs may appear different from the surrounding content.
He said people could also use online verification tools to establish whether images have been edited before accepting them as genuine.
The warning comes amid the growing use of artificial intelligence to create convincing videos and images, including content purporting to show public figures promoting financial opportunities and online games.
Mwila said deepfake technology could be particularly dangerous when used to impersonate celebrities or political leaders in advertisements linked to money-making schemes.
He said the public should not immediately trust such content simply because it appears to feature a well-known person.
Mwila stressed that social media users need to develop a culture of verifying information before sharing or commenting on it.
“Awareness is needed at this stage before any other decisions are made,” he said.
He said the desire by social media users to be the first to comment or share information can contribute to the rapid spread of false and misleading content.
Mwila also called for increased public awareness on responsible use of digital platforms, arguing that people need to understand that smartphones give users access to an environment where they must follow certain rules.
He compared responsible smartphone use to driving, noting that people are required to obtain licences before driving vehicles but often use powerful digital devices without adequate knowledge of online safety.
“The parents are buying expensive phones for their children who they cannot even check what they are doing,” Mwila said.
He warned that irresponsible use of smartphones and social media could expose users, particularly young people, to harmful content and other online risks.
Mwila urged social media users to act responsibly, especially at a time when misinformation and fake content are becoming increasingly common.
He said people should avoid sharing unverified information that could mislead others, cause panic or contribute to conflict.
“It’s an environment where we need to create an environment where we are supposed to go to peace,” Mwila said.
He said strengthening digital literacy and public awareness would help people make better decisions about the information they encounter online.
Mwila’s comments come as artificial intelligence tools become increasingly accessible, making it easier to create realistic audio, images and videos that can be used to mislead unsuspecting social media users.
He therefore urged the public to pause, examine and verify suspicious content before believing, sharing or acting on it.
Article by Karen Ngulube.
