Tutorial: Synthetic Realities: Impact, Advancements, and Ethical Considerations

We are amidst a new technological revolution where advancements transcend the mere creation of a virtual landscape; technology now enhances human ingenuity and influences its own evolution. This transformative process profoundly impacts physical realities and alters the landscape of social interactions. Termed synthetic realities, the various media crafted through these means have ignited significant debates, poised to reshape humanity’s lifestyle and societal fabric indefinitely. Synthetic realities have become pivotal tools in education, healthcare, commerce, and automation. These immersive mediums offer unprecedented learning opportunities, allowing students to dynamically explore historical events, scientific concepts, and cultural phenomena. Synthetic realities also facilitate training simulations for medical professionals, refining skills in realistic environments without risking patient safety. However, the proliferation of synthetic realities also introduces significant political and social challenges. These platforms amplify the dissemination of fake news, fueling political polarization and eroding trust in established information sources. Additionally, they threaten democratic processes by enabling manipulation and propaganda, undermining the integrity of elections and public discourse. Moreover, synthetic realities contribute to the spread of scientific denialism, hindering efforts to address pressing global issues such as climate change. Furthermore, concerns regarding individual privacy are heightened as these platforms facilitate invasive surveillance and data exploitation. The rise of synthetic realities also leads to phenomena like nonconsensual fake pornography and scams, jeopardizing individuals’ reputations and financial security. In this tutorial, we will explore the burgeoning landscape of synthetic realities, their impact, technological advancements, and ethical quandaries. We will discuss the specifics of synthetic media, including deepfakes and their generation techniques, modern AI-empowered multimedia manipulations, (mis)information, and (dis)information. We will also touch upon the imperative need for robust detection and explainable methods to combat the potential misuse of such technologies. We will show the dual-edged nature of synthetic realities and advocate for interdisciplinary research, informed public discourse, and collaborative efforts to harness their benefits while mitigating risks. This tutorial contributes with the discourse on the responsible development and application of artificial intelligence and synthetic media in modern society.