Deepfakes in Nigerian Youth Digital Culture: Identity, Communication and Cybercrime
Keynote speaker: Chiemezie Ugochukwu (PhD student in Media Studies)
AI-generated pictures and voice clones are enabling easier perpetration of scams, while they offer young people the opportunity to change how they like people to see them. Deepfakes are becoming a norm among the young people because of their availability and ease on digital devices and internet platforms. This study examines how deepfakes are used for cybercrimes and influence the digital culture and communication of young people in Nigeria. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were employed to interview young people in Nigeria. The data were analysed using interpretative and constructive research philosophies to understand young people鈥檚 use of deepfakes. In addition, the circuit of culture theory developed by cultural theorists was adapted to highlight how deepfakes are produced, consumed, regulated and represented in young people鈥檚 lives. This study found that deepfakes are used for impersonation scams. Also, AI-generated pictures and voice clones are used by young people for content monetisation, marketing and for professional images on social media platforms. This has made deepfakes a norm in Nigeria among young people who are using AI-generated content to amplify online trends and shape their desired public image, among other purposes. This study recommends massive cyber literacy campaigns by relevant agencies to enlighten people on emerging AI technologies and scams that are associated with them.
This lecture will be delivered through the medium of English.
