With evolving technologies, computers are getting better at simulating reality with each passing day. Modern cinema makes heavy use of computer-generated sets and scenery in place of real locations. Most of the time, it becomes almost impossible to tell them apart.

Deepfake technology in modern times has been making headlines. From Mark Zuckerberg's video where he brags about controlling billions of people's stolen data or Barack Obama taking a potshot at Donald Trump are making the rounds. However, as real as they may seem, these are all fake videos.

What are deepfakes?

The term "deepfake" combines the concept of "deep learning," a subset of Artificial Intelligence with something that is fake. So, deepfakes are a form of AI, where a compilation of doctored images and sounds are put together by Machine Learning algorithms. Deepfakes can be extremely manipulative since they make it appear that real people are saying or doing things that they did not actually do.

How to spot a deepfake?

With improvement in technology, it is becoming harder day by day to spot a deepfake. Of course, poor-quality deepfakes are easier to spot. They may miss the lip-synch or the skin tone may be patchy, which are dead giveaways.

Here are a few ways to identify a deepfake video from a real one:

- Unnatural eye movement

If the person in the video lacks eye movement, such as blinking, or makes eye movements that does not look natural, the video could be a deepfake. Although AI and ML have greatly evolved, replicating eye movement in a way that looks natural is still a challenge.

- Unnatural facial expressions

Does something look off about a person's face in the video? It could be due to facial morphing, another sign that the video could be a deepfake.

- No emotions

Usually, when humans are saying something their face also reflects the emotions that go along with what they are saying. If the face is devoid of any emotions, it could be because of facial morphing or image stitches.

- Awkward body or posture

If a person's body shape does not look natural or if there is awkward positioning of the head or body, the video may be a fake one. This could be easier to spot since deepfake technology focuses on facial features instead of the entire body.

- Teeth that look unnatural

Algorithms could be written to create individual teeth, but that takes a lot of skill. If you spot teeth that do not have individual outlines, you may just be watching a deepfake video.