Which of the following technologies focuses on creating realistic, synthetic images and videos that can mimic real people?

The correct choice focuses on the concept of deep fakes, which are a specific application of artificial intelligence used to create realistic synthetic images and videos. Deep fakes utilize advanced algorithms, particularly those associated with deep learning techniques, to overlay or generate synthetic representations of individuals, often enabling the manipulation of audiovisual content in a highly convincing manner. This technology can produce outputs that mimic real people's appearances and voices with impressive fidelity, often leading to concerns regarding misinformation and impersonation.

In contrast, while deep learning and machine learning contribute to the foundational techniques that can enable the creation of deep fakes, they are broader fields encompassing various applications beyond just video and image synthesis. Big data, although it plays a role in providing the large datasets needed for training AI models, does not directly focus on the creation of realistic synthetic imagery by itself. Hence, the selection of deep fake directly addresses the question about creating digital fabrications that closely resemble actual individuals.