Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has become the latest victim of AI and deepfake technology where a video of him endorsing an illicit betting app has circulated widely on social media.
The video features an AI-generated voice resembling Kohli’s, paired with manipulated footage from his past videos, resulting in a deepfake advertisement.
The video gained widespread attention on social media, showcasing Kohli purportedly asserting substantial returns from a modest investment through the betting app. In an attempt to enhance credibility, the advertisement incorporates footage of a renowned news anchor. The ad portrays Kohli seemingly participating in a live news show, discussing the potential for users to earn money through the betting app.
क्या ये सच में @anjanaomkashyap मैम और विराट कोहली हैं? या फिर यह AI का कमाल है?
— Shubham Shukla (@ShubhamShuklaMP) February 18, 2024
अगर यह AI कमाल है तो बेहद खतरनाक है। इतना मिसयूज? अगर रियल है तो कोई बात ही नहीं। किसी को जानकारी हो तो बताएँ।@imVkohli pic.twitter.com/Q5RnDE3UPr
The deceptive deepfake video has raised concerns among fans on social media, with many highlighting it to prevent others from being misled. The advertisement falsely depicts Kohli purportedly earning a profit of Rs 81,000 from an investment as low as Rs 1,000.
Kohli is presently not playing for the Indian team, as he is absent from the ongoing Test series against England in India. The prominent batsman had initially withdrawn from the first two Test matches, citing personal reasons, and there were expectations of his return for the remaining three matches. After that, Kohli opted out of the entire five-match series, citing personal reasons, as he chose to stay with his family.
Several reports along with the former South African batter AB de Villiers have claimed that Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are expecting the birth of their second child.
