Deepfakes, Detection, and Distortion: Two Alarming AI Updates This Week

One platform empowers creators; the other proves AI still can’t be trusted with facts.

Author

Shane Barker
October 23, 2025

In partnership with

Disclosure: This content may contain few affiliate links, which means if you click on them, I will get a commission (without any extra cost to you).

AI Is Creating New Problems — And YouTube Just Took a Big Step

Two major updates this week show how platforms are dealing with the fallout from AI-generated content.

YouTube is giving creators a tool to defend their likeness.

Meanwhile, new research shows that AI assistants are still unreliable when answering news-related questions.

Both stories reveal the same truth: we’re moving fast into an AI-powered media world, but the systems that shape it are still flawed.

1. YouTube Expands Likeness Detection to All Monetized Channels

Creators in the YouTube Partner Program will soon gain access to a likeness detection tool that identifies AI-generated videos using their face or identity.

YouTube began testing this earlier this year with select creators. Now it’s rolling out platform-wide over the next few months.

How It Works

  • Creators verify their identity with a photo ID and short selfie video.

  • Once approved, they get a dashboard showing any detected videos featuring their likeness.

  • Each match includes titles, view counts, and uploader details.

Creators can then:

  • File a privacy removal request (for deepfakes or AI impersonations).

  • File a copyright claim if their content was copied or cropped.

  • Or simply archive the flagged video.

Why This Matters

This is YouTube’s most direct response yet to deepfake misuse.

It empowers creators to act when their identity is used without consent — especially in cases of false endorsements or political manipulation.

It also sets a precedent. Platforms are finally giving individuals control over their likeness in the AI era.

For brands and influencers, this means you’ll soon have concrete tools to protect reputation and maintain authenticity.

2. AI Assistants Show Major Reliability Problems in News Answers

A joint study from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and BBC tested ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Perplexity on 2,700 news-related questions.

The results were staggering:

  • 45% of responses had at least one significant issue.

  • 81% had some form of inaccuracy.

  • 31% had sourcing errors — missing, incorrect, or misleading citations.

  • Gemini performed worst, with 76% of responses containing major issues.

Examples

  • Several assistants continued referring to Pope Francis as alive, weeks after his reported death.

  • Others misrepresented policy changes or fabricated context.

Even when AI systems cited credible sources, many citations were misattributed or incomplete, leading to distorted summaries.

Why This Matters

These findings confirm what many publishers and journalists already fear:

AI assistants are not yet reliable for news, and they often misrepresent or strip context from cited work.

For creators and brands, that means:

  • Your content might appear in summaries without proper credit.

  • AI-generated answers could distort your original message.

  • Trust in digital information may decline further as users notice inconsistencies.

What To Do

  • Verify everything before citing AI-sourced material.

  • Publish transparently, with clear sourcing and context, so your content remains credible even if summarized by AI.

  • Monitor mentions of your brand or articles using AI-driven monitoring tools (like Google Alerts or Brand24).

The Bigger Picture

YouTube’s new detection tool and the EBU/BBC study are two sides of the same story:

  • One gives creators more control over AI’s use of their likeness.

  • The other exposes how AI still struggles to represent truth accurately.

AI in media is expanding faster than regulation or verification can keep up.

Platforms are adapting, but users and creators must do the same.

Authenticity and accuracy — once assumed — are now things we actively have to defend.

The Tech newsletter for Engineers who want to stay ahead

Tech moves fast, but you're still playing catch-up?

That's exactly why 100K+ engineers working at Google, Meta, and Apple read The Code twice a week.

Here's what you get:

  • Curated tech news that shapes your career - Filtered from thousands of sources so you know what's coming 6 months early.

  • Practical resources you can use immediately - Real tutorials and tools that solve actual engineering problems.

  • Research papers and insights decoded - We break down complex tech so you understand what matters.

All delivered twice a week in just 2 short emails.

Looking for more in-depth strategies and exclusive content?

Check out my Gumroad page for courses, guides, and tools that can help take your digital marketing to the next level. Whether you're looking to master SEO, influencer marketing, or content strategies, I've got resources to get you there. Plus, you'll find some free content to help you get started right away!

Visit my Gumroad page and explore everything I have to offer!

1. Found the insights helpful? Forward this email to help fellow business owners or marketers.

2. Spread the word. Encourage your friends or followers to sign up.

3.  Have us test and review your marketing or business tool on ShaneBarker.com. We can write a product review, comparison, or industry listicle for you.

If you have any specific questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future newsletters, please feel free to reach out. We'd love to hear from you!

To your content marketing success,
Shane Barker