Work

Does “distance lend enchantment”? Public attitudes to deepfake technology in the United States

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We describe a focus group study of public perceptions of "deepfake" technology, that is, digitally manipulated videos that show people saying or doing things they never really did. The study was designed to explore the relationship between degree of closeness to or familiarity with technology and attitudes toward it. We find that in this case, publics that are closer have more positive and nuanced attitudes. In such cases, at least, it appears that distance does not lend enchantment. We suggest why this may be the case and propose further related research designed to test the conclusions reached here.

Source: Public Understanding of Science

DOI: 10.1177/09636625251374850

Authors: Elena Denia, John Durant

Institutions: Australian National University, Universitat Politècnica de València, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Misinformation and Its Impacts

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900

Funders: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, European Commission, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Universitat Politècnica de València