The
Delhi High Court on Monday sought the Centre's response on a public interest
litigation against the unregulated use of artificial intelligence and
deepfakes.
Deepfakes
are videos or images that are created using Artificial Intelligence
(AI)-powered deep learning software that show people saying and doing things
that they didn't say or do.
A
bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan observed that technology cannot
be "reined in" and the issue raised by the petitioner required
deliberations which only the government could undertake.
"There
is no easy solution. It requires a lot of deliberation. It is a very
complicated technology," the bench, also comprising Justice Mini
Pushkarna, said.
Maintaining
that the matter required balancing several factors as there were certain
positive uses of the technology, the court added, "It is something that
only the government with all its resources can do." The central
government counsel said it was public knowledge that the government was looking
into the issue and sought time to seek instructions.
Regulations
are in place and the ministry has already said it is a serious issue, he
stated.
The
petitioner, represented by advocate Manohar Lal, said while technological
development was happening by leaps and bounds, the law was moving at a snail's
speed.
Law
by its nature lags behind, the court said as it listed the case for further
hearing on January 8.
Petitioner
Chaitanya Rohilla, a lawyer, sought directions to the Centre to identify and
block websites providing access to deepfakes and regulate artificial
intelligence to protect the fundamental rights of citizens.
Artificial
intelligence has its own deep-rooted challenges and it was necessary to fill
the vacuum caused of the absence of regulations, his lawyer said as he
highlighted certain recent instances of misuse of deepfake technology.
Actor
Rashmika Mandanna recently became a victim of a deepfake video where her face
was superimposed on the body of another person.