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Ishaan Sharma, a YouTuber from Bengaluru, shared a video where he transforms into multiple personalities.
The man appears as Taylor Swift, Nirmala Sitharaman and Scarlett Johansson. (Photo Credit: X)
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become part of almost everything we see online. And that is why it is now difficult to know what is real, as even familiar faces can be manipulated. One of the biggest concerns today is deepfakes that can make anyone say or do something they never actually did.
A recent viral video has shown exactly how convincing (and alarming) these AI deepfakes can be.
YouTuber Turns Into Celebrities And Cautions Viewers
Ishaan Sharma, a YouTuber from Bengaluru, shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) where he transforms into multiple personalities. He appears as Taylor Swift, Nirmala Sitharaman, Ranveer Singh, Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Scarlett Johansson, US President Donald Trump and even controversial figures like Jeffrey Epstein and Vijay Mallya.
In the video, Ishaan warns viewers, “Hi everyone, this is just a reminder that you can no longer trust anything you see on social media. The creators you follow, the images you see, the videos that you watch might not be real.”
He adds, “I can change my face, my age, my gender and even my voice without you knowing it. In fact, I’m not even recording this video right now. It is all AI. Stay aware and send this video to a friend.”
Wake-Up Call vs Overreach
The video sparked intense reactions online, with one user commenting, “AI awareness level up today! This video shows exactly how you could misuse deepfake videos to stir chaos … super important wake-up call. India needs regular campaigns in all languages to educate people.”
Another added, “What this person has done in creating awareness is something the GOI, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting/Ministry of Electronics & IT must do regularly … showing how adversaries may use AI videos to incite Indians.”
But some were skeptical of government intervention as a person wrote, “So you want govt too control AI seriously. The most they can do is issue guideline, if any video photo used AI, there should be disclaimer, still they can’t force it to private person, be realistic.”
The Dangers Of Deepfakes
A study published in the Journal of Innovation & Knowledge last year provided a detailed assessment of AI deepfakes “by integrating a cross-disciplinary literature synthesis with original opinion-poll evidence from seven European countries.” The study highlights multiple risks:
Threat to Democracy and Social Trust: Deepfakes can manipulate public opinion, influence elections and undermine democratic processes. The study noted that in 2023, they had a significant impact on political discourse in 11 countries. Developing regions are especially vulnerable due to “technological progression and limited public knowledge” that could heighten the harmful effects.
Individual Harm: Deepfakes can create convincing but false portrayals of individuals, sometimes inserting them into explicit content without consent, including pornography.
Cybersecurity Risks: Misleading information in deepfakes can destabilise institutions. This has led to an increase in the need for detection tools and robust legal frameworks.
Ethical Dilemmas: Manipulative deepfakes blur the line between reality and fiction. It raises questions about authenticity and accountability.
But Can Deepfakes Actually Help Us?
Despite these concerns, deepfakes also carry notable advantages if used responsibly, as noted in the study.
Creativity and Media Production: Filmmakers and artists can produce scenes that would otherwise be impossible or extremely costly, “stimulating breakthroughs in media production.”
Education and Training: Deepfakes can create immersive learning experiences such as historical reenactments or language simulations. They can enhance “learning outcomes and broaden access.”
Cybersecurity Applications: They can safeguard intellectual property through systems like FORGE. “They can mislead intruders attempting to steal sensitive data, thereby bolstering cybersecurity,” the study mentioned.
Social Awareness and Health Campaigns: Communities can use AI-generated media for campaigns that promote understanding, healthy behaviour and civic engagement.
Positive Societal Impact: By delivering realistic simulations and interactive experiences, deepfakes can enhance community initiatives and digital communication when ethical standards are applied.
Delhi, India, India
February 10, 2026, 17:43 IST
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