In this episode, we dive into the alarming rise of deepfake technology and how it is reshaping trust in our digital world. From a shocking $243,000 scam where criminals cloned a CEO’s voice to fool a UK subsidiary’s CFO, to viral deepfake videos of “Tom Cruise” mesmerizing millions on TikTok, the lines between real and fake are disappearing fast.

We also explore how deepfakes are weaponized in geopolitical conflicts, like the fake video of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urging soldiers to surrender. These examples reveal how deepfakes are not just tech gimmicks. They are powerful tools that threaten business security, public trust, and global stability.

In this episode, we cover:

• How deepfake audio scams trick businesses into losing hundreds of thousands of dollars

• The viral phenomenon of ultra-real deepfake celebrity videos and their impact on public perception

• The dangerous use of deepfakes in war and political misinformation

• What this means for the future of media, evidence, and trust

• Ethical questions about whether harmful deepfakes should be considered assault

• The potential benefits and uses of deepfake technology in entertainment and beyond

• Whether we can ever stop or control this technology or if it is here to stay

If you have ever wondered how real deepfakes can get and what it means for our digital future, this episode will give you plenty to think about.