Irish PM warns about deep-fakes after financial scam video

The Taoiseach (Irish PM) has put out a warning about deep-fakes after a fake video of him was used to promote a financial scam.

Micheál Martin said the video which was circulating online was "clearly very false material" and served as a reminder to be "vigilant on social media".

In the fake video, what appears to be an AI-generated version of the taoiseach speaking with an English accent claims investors of any age can earn €40,000 (£35,000) "with just a phone and €250 (£216)".

Martin has called on social media platforms to prevent such material from being posted online and to take it down as soon as it is identified.

Deepfakes are videos, picture or audio clips made with AI to look real.

Text-to-image AI tools have made them easier to generate than ever before.

Martin responded to the deep-fake in a video post on social media.

"So, this is clearly very false material pertaining to myself," he said.

"Illustrative of the kind of manipulation and distortion that can take place on social media and a reminder to us all to be vigilant on social media and to take care.

"And for the platforms also to make sure that such material never gets online and that it is taken offline as soon as it's identified."

During the Irish presidential election in October an AI-generated video of candidate Catherine Connolly was circulated online which appeared to announce her withdrawal from the race.

Connolly, who became President of Ireland after winning the election, called the video a "disgraceful attempt to mislead voters and undermine our democracy".

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