AI-Generated Fake Interviews with Gareth Southgate Spark Controversy at Euro 2024
As Euro 2024 unfolds, the focus on England head coach Gareth Southgate’s every word has reached unprecedented levels. However, this tournament has introduced a new dimension to the scrutiny surrounding the manager – AI-generated fake interviews. These fabricated clips, which depict Southgate making crude remarks about his players, have garnered millions of views on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. The Football Association (FA) has condemned these videos as “offensive.”
The fake interviews target not only England’s Euro 2024 players but also those who were not selected for the squad. Viewers on social media sites, including popular players like Phil Foden, Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish, and Marcus Rashford, have expressed their belief in the authenticity of these videos. The clips are designed to resemble press conferences, with an AI voice generator overlaying fake words and manipulating Southgate’s mouth movements.
England fans in Germany who have seen the material on social media have offered mixed reactions. While the majority find the content funny and consider it harmless fun, some acknowledge that it extends beyond Southgate, with other figures such as Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, and Mikel Arteta also being targeted. Nonetheless, the FA has issued a statement affirming its commitment to removing offensive content.
The potential dangers of AI-generated videos extend beyond the realm of humor and satire. Earlier this year, London Mayor Sadiq Khan revealed that a deepfake audio clip of him making inflammatory remarks nearly caused “serious disorder” on Armistice Day. Former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland similarly cautioned that AI videos in politics pose a “clear and present danger” to UK democracy.
While TikTok and Instagram allow AI-generated content, there are rules in place to regulate harmful material. Following the BBC’s inquiry about specific videos on one TikTok account, the content promptly disappeared, presumably due to repeated violations of the platform’s policies. Instagram’s parent company, Meta, is also reviewing the material.
Experts emphasize that it is not only individuals in positions of power who are susceptible to this kind of manipulation. Professor Hany Farid, a digital forensics expert at the University of California, warns that even a short audio clip or single image can be used to create deepfakes. He acknowledges the complexity of regulating such content, particularly when it comes to satire. While articles that satirize public figures are acceptable, videos that use their voice and likeness can be highly offensive, necessitating a careful consideration of boundaries by society and the courts.
As England progresses in Euro 2024, criticism has emerged not only regarding the team’s performance but also Southgate’s leadership. Nonetheless, the focus on AI-generated fake interviews has sparked a broader conversation about the potential consequences of manipulated content and the need for effective regulation in the digital age.