ELEMENTS OF AI – Talk Time: Deepfakes: From Generation to Detection

This 2-hour interactive training session provides a comprehensive introduction to deepfakes, which are partially manipulated or fully synthetized media content using Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms. The session is structured in two main parts. The first part covers deepfake generation: participants will learn what deepfakes are, how generation techniques have evolved from early GAN-based approaches to modern diffusion models, and will be guided through a live demonstration of the most popular deepfake generation tools. The second part focuses on deepfake detection: participants will explore the topic of detection methods, understand how detection research has advanced in response to increasingly realistic fakes, and interact with state-of-the-art detection tools. Throughout the session, knowledge quizzes will be conducted to assess their understanding on the topic. The session is designed to be accessible to a mixed audience, combining technical details with practical demonstrations. Participants will leave with a solid understanding of both the threat landscape posed by deepfakes and the tools available to counter them.

This module will cover the following points:

• Deepfake generation: concepts, techniques, and their evolution (GANs, diffusion models, face-swapping)
• Hands-on demonstration of deepfake generation tools
• Deepfake detection: methods, limitations, and their evolution
• Hands-on demonstration of deepfake detection tools
• Interactive knowledge quiz

By the end of this training, the participant will be able to:

• Explain what deepfakes are and describe the main AI techniques used to generate them.
• Trace the evolution of deepfake generation and detection technologies over time.
• Use generation and detection tools to produce and analyse deepfake content in practice.
• Assess the risks posed by deepfakes and identify appropriate countermeasures.

This course will alternate between theoretical presentations, live tool demonstrations, and interactive quizzes.