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Deepfakes: Future of Sports and Questioning Video Evidence

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Black Communication in the Age of Disinformation

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Abstract

Although there are studies on tricking opponents or deceptive action in sports, similar actions involving video manipulation is not widely studied. Yet, the phenomenon of video manipulation, some using artificial intelligence, has been on the rise as predicted by Langdon Winner’s technological determinism hypothesis. The concern for video manipulation in wider social activities has risen, leading to a Willingham article for CNN in 2020 titled “Is That Video Real?” A rash of manipulated videos exists in the political arena and elsewhere and has been a concern in the United States. For instance, images and voices of political figures are electronically manipulated or doctored. In sports, video footage of football matches may be manipulated to sway public opinion. With video tampering rising, combined with the breakdown of gatekeeping in mass-mediated production, the possibility of manipulating public opinion has been on the rise. The concern is such that the Defense Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing an algorithm for analyzing videos to expose inconsistencies, not visible through human eyes. In this chapter, we examine how video manipulations may affect sporting contests that increasingly rely on video examination of actions for decision-making. This is important given the fact that sporting activities are anchored on fair play and objectivity. Our analysis introduces the phenomenon of video manipulation and examines its presence in social activities and particularly its probable use in sports, especially football. We then conclude our analysis by projecting how authorities might confront the phenomenon in the future to maintain public trust in sporting contests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

    Unwana Samuel Akpan

  2. Howard University, Washington, DC, USA

    Chuka Onwumechili

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  1. Unwana Samuel Akpan
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  2. Chuka Onwumechili
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Correspondence to Unwana Samuel Akpan .

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  1. Legal & Management Communication, Howard University, Department of Strategic, Washington, DC, USA

    Kehbuma Langmia

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Akpan, U.S., Onwumechili, C. (2023). Deepfakes: Future of Sports and Questioning Video Evidence. In: Langmia, K. (eds) Black Communication in the Age of Disinformation. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27696-5_8

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