The ongoing tensions in the Middle East have entered their second month, accompanied by a significant rise in fabricated digital content, thriving under these circumstances. According to a report from KIPNET released in February, the incidence of deepfake videos around the world is projected to increase by approximately 550% between 2019 and 2024. Furthermore, at least 500,000 fabricated audio and video clips have circulated on social media platforms throughout 2023 alone, as outlined in the same report.
Video content constitutes the most prevalent form of deepfakes, making up 46% of the total, followed by images at 32% and audio content at 22%. This highlights the critical need for enhanced digital literacy and information verification to curb the spread of misinformation and rumors. This brings forth the question: How can one verify the authenticity of videos and ascertain whether they are fabricated or outdated before sharing them? Experts provided insights on this matter.
Digital Awareness
Khaled Al-Nuaimi, an expert in the “UAE Experts Program” focusing on artificial intelligence, emphasizes that verifying video authenticity begins with treating shared content skeptically rather than accepting it as “truth” solely based on its circulation. He advises relying exclusively on official state channels for information, including videos. Various verification methods can be employed, such as examining the metadata when available, confirming the original publication date of the clip, comparing the visuals with known geographical markers like landmarks or weather conditions, and using reverse image or video search techniques to trace the content’s origin. He also pointed out that many misleading videos are, in fact, old clips from conflicts or events in other countries, reintroduced in a different context. The rapid evolution of AI tools has made it easier to alter or remix footage, necessitating greater digital awareness among viewers.
Rapid Proliferation
Al-Nuaimi added that international reports indicate a swift proliferation of deepfake technologies in recent years. Furthermore, he highlighted that video has become the most utilized format for deepfake techniques, accounting for around 46% of documented cases, followed by images at 32% and audio content at 22%, according to Resemble AI’s report for the first quarter of 2025. This trend reflects the rapid advancement of AI-based tools capable of producing content that can be difficult to differentiate from genuine media without specialized verification tools or reference to reliable sources.
The Golden Rule
In this context, Mira Sultan, an expert in the “UAE Experts Program” for digital government innovation, stressed that digital literacy is now a societal necessity. She underscored the fundamental rule that users should adopt: “Pause before sharing.” She warned that disseminating untrustworthy videos can exacerbate rumors, regardless of the publisher’s intentions. Mira noted that enhancing verification skills among the public, especially youth, should be a part of awareness programs, enabling users to verify sources and cross-check information across multiple reliable outlets before sharing any content.
Furthermore, reducing the spread of misleading content requires not only awareness but also cooperation among users, digital platforms, and official entities. Users can report misleading content instead of resharing it. Platforms increasingly rely on advanced technological tools to monitor and reduce the spread of fabricated or misleading content. She emphasized the importance of community awareness and responsibility in identifying and reporting misinformation, noting the current collaboration between citizens and residents in addressing such content.
Sultan asserted that protecting institutions from the dangers of digital misinformation and deepfakes demands a proactive, multi-faceted approach that combines advanced technical solutions with raising awareness among employees and users about digital fraud techniques. Understanding the methods employed by cybercriminals assists institutions in establishing more effective protective systems.
Economic Impacts
Regarding the potential economic losses caused by the proliferation of misleading digital content and how to mitigate these ramifications, Marwa Fadel, an expert in the UAE Experts Program for media, stated that misinformation affects public opinion but can also have direct economic consequences. Rumors related to crises or security can temporarily undermine market confidence, impacting investor decisions and travel or tourism activities.
She elaborated that using deepfake technologies powered by generative AI can be damaging to companies, resulting in financial losses. Moreover, during crises, the spread of misinformation can lead to global economic losses due to market instability and diminished trust. However, economies with strong media institutions and high transparency in information dissemination are better equipped to mitigate these effects—that’s the case with the UAE, which consistently provides the public with daily press updates and regular media briefings.
Fadel emphasized that minimizing these losses relies on three critical components: swift official communication, the presence of professional media delivering accurate information promptly, and a societal awareness that rejects the spread of untrustworthy news.
In conclusion, she mentioned that previous experiences in the UAE have demonstrated that transparency and prompt official communication play a pivotal role in maintaining public trust and market stability, significantly reducing the impact of rumors or misleading information.