Why deepfakes will be a major headache during campaigns

Deepfakes are digitally manipulated videos, audio recordings or images created using artificial intelligence to make people appear to say or do things they never did. [iStockphoto]

Kenya may not yet be in an official campaign season, but the country is already in campaign mode. From political messaging to alliances being formed or broken every other day, it is evident that the stakes are high.

Preparing to vie for office in this country has traditionally meant two things: Financial muscle and aligning with the most popular political party or coalition. Into this already volatile mix now enters a new and dangerous challenge, the deepfake.