Its Deception On Another Level - Thami Ngubeni As Deepfake Video Using Her Face Makes The Rounds On Social Media Video

South African broadcaster and actress Thami Ngubeni has distanced herself from a deepfake video circulating on social media that falsely features her promoting dubious financial schemes. In a statement released on Thursday, Ngubeni warned her followers to disregard the video, which uses her likeness to encourage investment in fraudulent ventures.

Ngubeni first learned about the video when a former colleague, who was interested in investing in the schemes, brought it to her attention. The following day, a journalist contacted her after her mother had seen the video and recognized it as a scam.

Deepfake content, which uses artificial intelligence AI to manipulate images, videos, and audio, has raised growing concerns globally. In 2023, similar schemes involving deepfake content also targeted SABC anchor Leanne Manas. Ngubeni highlighted the ethical issues surrounding AI usage and emphasized the need for stricter regulations, especially as unregulated deepfake content can severely damage individuals' reputations and dignity.

Ngubeni has attempted to get the video removed from Facebook but has encountered difficulty, citing inefficiency and a lack of support from the platform. She stressed the global concern of unregulated AI, warning that unchecked deepfake technology could have catastrophic consequences for both individuals and society.