Russian President Vladimir Putin found himself face to face with himself, or at least his virtual double generated using “deepfake” technology, on Thursday during his major televised question-and-answer session with citizens.
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A student from Saint Petersburg, who questioned him on the rise of artificial intelligence, appeared on the image in the guise and with the voice of Vladimir Putin, thanks to digital trickery.
He also asked if it was true that the Russian president has “many lookalikes,” triggering some bursts of laughter in the audience.
The student, who did not give his real identity, was referring to recurring rumors already denied by the Kremlin according to which Vladimir Putin was ill and would use stunt doubles for certain public appearances.
“I see that you can look like me and talk like me,” replied Vladimir Putin, visibly taken aback, to his virtual double.
“But I thought about it and decided that only one person should look like me and use my voice, and that is myself,” he continued.
“Besides, he’s my first double,” the president continued.
Persistent rumors about Vladimir Putin’s state of health and his possible use of lookalikes have been rife for years, fueled by the rarity of his public appearances during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Kremlin regularly assures that all this is false and that the president is not ill.
“Deepfake” photos and videos are sophisticated and increasingly credible montages, usually showing celebrities or leaders, which represent a challenge in the fight against misinformation.