Deepfake salespeople swamp LinkedIn

Occurred: March 2022

Over 1,000 fake profiles with AI-generated images were discovered on LinkedIn, raising questions about the social network's ability to manage its community. 

An initial investigation by Stanford Internet Observatory researchers concluded that over 1,000 LinkedIn profiles appeared to use facial images created using AI-generated deepfake technologies. A follow-up NPR report found a cottage industry of companies in the US and India creating fake profiles of individuals and companies on LinkedIn using AI.

LinkedIn’s professional community policies state that the social network does not permit fake profiles or entities on its platform, including using other peoples' images or 'any other image that is not your likeness' for profile photos.

The incident raised concerns about LinkedIn's ability to detect and manage AI-generated content.

System 🤖

Operator:
Developer:  
Country: USA; India
Sector: Business/professional services
Purpose: Generate sales leads
Technology: Deepfake - image; Generative adversarial network (GAN); Neural network; Deep learning; Machine learning  
Issue: Safety; Accuracy/reliability
Transparency: Governance

Page info
Type: Issue
Published: March 2022