What is the technology called that generates computer-generated images and videos of a person that appear real but are actually synthetic?

The term that refers to computer-generated images and videos of a person that appear convincingly real, yet are actually synthetic, is deep fake. This technology uses artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, particularly neural networks, to manipulate media content. Deep fakes can create realistic portrayals by swapping faces, altering speech, or emulating physical movements based on data from actual recordings of a person's likeness.

The creation of deep fakes raises significant ethical concerns, especially regarding misinformation and identity theft, as they can be used to misattribute words and actions to individuals without their consent. This capability showcases the advancements in AI and how it can generate highly realistic outputs, which can be both innovative and alarming depending on the context of use.

In contrast, deep learning is a subtype of machine learning focused on neural networks with many layers, big data refers to the vast volumes of data collected from various sources, and machine learning encompasses various algorithms and statistical models enabling computers to perform tasks without specific programming based on data input. These concepts are related to AI but do not specifically denote the creation of synthetic media like deep fake does.