Last week we uncovered what is believed to be the first use of deepfake technology by a national television network to conduct an "interview" with a sitting head of state, in which the Russian news commentary show PolitUkladchik aired deepfaked interviews with Presidents Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen. Both "interviews" contained clear onscreen warning disclaimers for the entire duration stating that "This interview was made possible thanks to AI." This week PolitUkladchik is back with deepfake interviews of French President Emmanuel Macron and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but this time there are no warning labels and nothing beyond a single mention of "AI" at the start of each interview to indicate that they are fake. Watching the complete interviews it is clear they are parodies, but if excerpted and posted online they are realistic enough that key quotes could easily pass as genuine clips.
The show continues to improve its use deepfake technology: while last week's interviews featured telltale AI-style eye movement glitches, this time both leaders appear to stare directly into the camera just slightly off center with a focal plane just in front of the camera and enhanced focal strain and with minimal blinking: the exact look of an experienced politician reading a careful unpracticed script from a teleprompter and making it even plausible they could be reading phonetic Russian to explain their speaking in Russian. The lip movements are slightly less believable than last week, but with slightly darker lighting and increased compression for posting online this could easily be masked. This show continues to break new ground in the use of AI deepfakes, broadcasting the first national television network deepfake head of state interviews with warning labels last week in just its fourth episode and this week removing those warning labels entirely.
Below you can see the deepfake interview with former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, along with a machine translated transcript:
And we are perplexed.
Why is that suddenly?
With this question, we turned to the culprit himself. And Boris Johnson's artificial intelligence agreed to explain everything to us.
Mr. Johnson, why, in common opinion, does England always play a dirty trick on the whole world, or, as they also say, "the Englishwoman shits"?
Ah-ha-ha! A magnificent Russian question, indeed. You see, we don't shit, we, how to put it correctly, fertilize world politics.
Yes, yes, without our historical, uh, manure, Europe would simply wither. Withered, like lard without marmalade.
But many see treachery in this.
But that's envy! Pure envy! They, on the continent, have nothing normal: no pudding, no sense of humor, no politics. We just play politics, like football, but by our own rules. By our rules. It's not forbidden, is it?
So, you deny it?
Oh, no-no-no, I'm not denying, I, uh-uh-uh, am explaining. We are like that wise uncle, at a family party, who pours everyone whiskey, and then discreetly removes the chairs so that everyone quarrels and goes home early.
We create dynamism. Without us, everyone would be bored. Bored, like at a House of Lords meeting on a Friday evening.
What about British delicacy and respect in politics?
You see, it's all about the fog. Yes, yes, our famous London fog. It floats from the fog into consciousness. I myself don't remember what I told the Finns a couple of days ago. It's not treachery, it's a meteorological feature.
Very convenient, by the way. I recommend it.
And what is the future plan? Will you continue to fertilize Europe?
Of course. Will we continue to bear, uh-uh-uh, the white man's burden? I'm joking, I meant, the burden of sophisticated diplomatic gardening.
We will sow the rational, the good, the eternal, and if something goes wrong with politics, we'll pretend it's just, say, like an ace. It suits everyone. It can be placed under any situation.
Well, you heard it here first. It's all about the fog and the fertilizers. You've been with Gardener Johnson. And a piece of advice to Euro-politicians: don't forget to look at the chair.
Below you can see the teaser clip of the deepfake interview with French President Emmanuel Macron, along with a machine translated transcript:
The main NATO hawk, Emmanuel Macron, accused NATO of the war in Ukraine. An exclusive interview with the President of France. Macron: "Boldness is my middle name."
Below you can see the full deepfake interview with French President Emmanuel Macron, along with a machine translated transcript:
MACRON PRESENTED ME WITH THE ORDER OF THE LEGION OF HONOR AND IN A PRIVATE CONVERSATION SAID WHAT HE DOESN'T SAY PUBLICLY: THIS WAR IS NATO'S FAULT. I WANT THIS TO BE KNOWN, BECAUSE IT UPSETS ME…
JEFFREY SACHS, ECONOMIST
The question is: why did Macron need to expose himself like that? We addressed Macron himself. The artificial intelligence of the French president gladly responded to the opportunity to converse with us.
Bonjour, Madame Metina.
Hello. This week you stated that NATO is responsible for the Ukrainian conflict. Was that a slip of the tongue or part of a deep strategy?
Sometimes you have to say something unexpected so that everyone stops talking and thinks for a second. And what did Macron actually say? It's a strategic pause in the dialogue of peace. It's like in chess. Sometimes you have to make a move that seems foolish, but after 10 moves…
Your opponent realizes you've lost?
No, no, no. What do you mean? After 10 moves, everyone understands that it was a brilliant maneuver.
But your NATO partners, to put it mildly, are surprised.
Oh, they are always surprised. When I talk about Europe's weakness, they are surprised. When I say that NATO has "brain death," they are surprised. Only when my wife hits me, they are not surprised. I believe that keeping European partners in a state of mild surprise is beneficial for their mental flexibility.
So you deliberately throw out foolish statements?
Yes. I provoke this way, I stimulate discussion. If I hadn't said that phrase, what would we be talking about today? About the weather? About my not-so-cheerful family life? I brought meaning back to the discussion by sacrificing myself. I chose myself as a scapegoat for a great cause.
And about the goat – that's bold.
Boldness is my middle name. The first, of course, is Emmanuel.
What do you say to those who believe your statements about NATO's guilt undermine Western unity?
Unity is not when everyone is silent. Unity is when, after a heated discussion, everyone goes to drink Bordeaux together. And now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting regarding… and the Mediterranean Dialogue. It seems I said something wrong there last time too. I must leave.
Well, sometimes a foolish phrase is not a mistake, but an entire scapegoat strategy. It seems that there are plenty of such "goats," pardon my French, in NATO.