Shashi Tharoor Talks With His AI Deepfake: How People On The Internet Reacted

In a groundbreaking moment at the Mathrubhumi International Literary Festival, spectators were captivated as an artificially intelligent deepfake version of politician Shashi Tharoor took center stage to interview the genuine Tharoor in a seated discussion. The exchange between the real MP and his AI counterpart blurred the lines of reality in an approximately 8-minute video unveiled by the Mathrubhumi International Festival Of Letters on their YouTube channel.



Crafted with the linguistic nuances and style of the MP, the AI avatar posed premeditated questions, delving into a myriad of topics, including the advancements and drawbacks of the rapidly evolving technology.

"Surprised when you first learned that an artificial intelligence model like myself could engage in conversations?" queried the AI model. "Yeah, sure, I was surprised," responded the MP, acknowledging that the concept is "slightly troubling." The discourse extended to encompass digital media and competition within the Indian landscape, among other subjects.

Tharoor highlighted the challenges posed by manipulative deepfakes, emphasizing the potential harm to the reputation of celebrities through face-swapping technology. He also shed light on the transformed nature of digital media, transitioning from a community of authentic individuals to a space infiltrated by organized elements influencing public opinion.

Expressing his thoughts on the AI avatar, Tharoor described the AI program as "intimidating and worrying," while commending the entertaining aspects and potential opportunities offered by the technology. A meticulous analysis of the AI replica uncovered limited lip movements, repetitive hand gestures, and head movements, serving as discernible markers of its technological origin juxtaposed with the real Tharoor.

The online community, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), erupted with diverse reactions to the interview. "Fab stuff!!!!!" exclaimed one user, while another remarked, "Scary!" Offering a nuanced perspective on the AI replica, a third user (@anushakunmittal) noted, "the similarities on surface level are a bit scary." The convergence of awe, trepidation, and fascination mirrored the varied sentiments sparked by this unprecedented encounter between a political figure and his digital doppelgänger.