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Aishwarya Raj Bhakuni who is currently winning hearts by playing Aradhya in O Humnava Tum Dena Saath Mera, has opened up about the growing concerns around AI-generated content and deepfakes, stressing on the need for greater digital awareness and responsible use of technology. With actors increasingly vulnerable to misuse of their faces, voices and identities online, Aishwarya believes the conversation around AI needs to focus not just on the technology but also on the intention behind using it.
“AI itself isn’t the problem. It is a tool. The problem is the intention behind using it. If someone uses it creatively and responsibly, it can do wonderful things. But if someone uses it to deceive, harass, spread misinformation or damage another person’s identity, that’s when it becomes dangerous,” she says.
According to Aishwarya, the urgency around deepfakes has increased because AI tools have become much more accessible.
“Earlier, creating something convincing required technical expertise, but today, almost anyone can use AI tools to create content that looks very real. As an actor, this concerns me because my face, my voice and my work are already available publicly. Anything that is out there can potentially be picked up and misused,” she shares.
The actor also brings her experience of working on cybersecurity-awareness initiatives with the Maharashtra Government into the conversation.
“We work on creating awareness around cybercrime and responsible digital behaviour, and that has made me realise how quickly technology is changing and how important it is for people to keep up with it,” she says.
Aishwarya admits that the rise of deepfakes has also changed the way she looks at her own digital presence.
“As actors, we put a huge part of our lives out there. Our photographs, interviews, performances, voices and videos are all publicly available. Earlier, when you saw a video of somebody, there was a natural assumption that it was real. Today, even I sometimes think twice before believing something I see online,” she says.
She believes the concern extends far beyond celebrities.
“If that is happening to us as actors, imagine how difficult it can be for an ordinary person who may not know how easily digital content can be manipulated,” Aishwarya adds.
While she has become more conscious about her online presence, the actor does not want fear to dictate how she uses social media.
“Personally, I’ve become more conscious about what I put online, but I don’t want to live in fear either. I love being active and expressive on social media. I just understand now that once something is on the internet, you cannot completely control how it is used,” she says.
For Aishwarya, the biggest concern is not necessarily the existence of the technology but how easily it can be misused.
“I’ve always felt that the internet is simply a medium. What matters is the person using it and, more importantly, their intention behind using it,” she explains.
She also points out that women and girls can be particularly vulnerable to manipulated content.
“I feel this can be particularly lethal for women and girls because people are very quick to judge what they see online. A lot of people believe that if something is on the internet, it must be true. They don’t stop to investigate whether it is real, manipulated or completely fabricated,” she says.
While edited photographs and content taken out of context are not new challenges for actors, Aishwarya believes AI-generated content has taken image misuse to another level.
“Earlier, somebody could manipulate a photograph. Today, somebody can potentially make you appear as though you are speaking, behaving or doing something that you have never done. They can recreate your face and voice in a way that looks incredibly convincing,” she says.
The actor feels this is especially concerning because an artist’s face and voice are closely connected to their professional identity.
“As an actor, my face and my voice are a part of my professional identity. I spend years building that identity through my work. Someone shouldn’t be able to take it and create a completely false version of me,” she states.
She believes responsibility has to be shared by creators, platforms and audiences when manipulated content is circulated online.
“I think responsibility exists at every level. The creator has the first responsibility. You cannot simply take somebody else’s face, voice or identity and use it however you want. Consent has to matter,” Aishwarya says.
She adds,
“Platforms also have a responsibility because they have the reach and the technology to identify and respond to harmful content, particularly when it is reported.”
At the same time, Aishwarya feels audiences need to be more mindful before forwarding or reposting questionable content.
“Today, everybody is not just a consumer of content; the moment you forward, repost or share something, you become part of its distribution,” she says.
Her advice is simple: verify before you share.
“We need to stop and ask ourselves: Where did this come from? Is this from a credible source? Has anyone verified it? Does this actually make sense?” she says.
“Especially when something involves a woman, an actor or somebody’s personal life, people can be incredibly quick to judge. Sometimes they don’t even realise that they are reacting to something that may have been completely fabricated,” she adds.
Aishwarya also sees AI as an exciting creative tool for the entertainment industry. As an actor and producer, she believes the technology could open up new possibilities in filmmaking and storytelling.
“There are so many creative possibilities. It can help filmmakers visualise things differently, experiment with ideas and perhaps even make certain kinds of storytelling more accessible,” she says.
However, she believes there must be clear boundaries when it comes to an individual’s likeness.
“When it comes to my face, my voice and my identity, there has to be a boundary. If somebody wants to digitally recreate me or use my likeness, I should have a say in how and where it is being used. Consent has to be at the centre of that conversation,” Aishwarya says.
Ultimately, she believes technological progress and digital awareness need to move together.
“We cannot stop technological progress, but we can make sure that people understand its consequences and that there are safeguards against misuse,” she says.
“I don’t see AI as something we should fear. I see it as something we need to learn to use responsibly, while protecting human creativity, identity, consent and dignity,” Aishwarya concludes.
