McAfee launches new tool that can detect AI-generated audio scam

McAfee has launched a groundbreaking tool designed to help users determine whether the audio in a video they are watching is genuine or a deepfake. This new software, named the McAfee Deepfake Detector, aims to combat the rising challenge of AI-generated content, particularly audio, which is becoming increasingly difficult for the average user to identify.

The significance of this tool lies in the rapidly growing capabilities of AI companies to produce realistic content that mimics real people. While tools that generate AI content are widely available, solutions that can reliably detect such content are still rare.

McAfee’s Deepfake Detector addresses this gap by offering users a way to verify the authenticity of the audio they encounter in various digital platforms, such as YouTube and X (formerly known as Twitter).

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The Deepfake Detector works by analysing audio within nearly any video or audio stream available on a PC. If the software detects AI-generated audio, it alerts the user with a red icon. Clicking on this icon provides additional information about the suspect audio, giving users the context they need to make informed decisions about the content they are consuming.

However, it’s worth noting that the tool does not work on content protected by digital rights management (DRM), which typically includes media from major studios and large companies.

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One of the unique aspects of the Deepfake Detector is that it operates entirely on the user’s device rather than in the cloud. This approach is particularly beneficial for tasks where privacy is a significant concern, as it avoids the need to upload potentially sensitive data to cloud servers.

McAfee’s Chief Technology Officer, Steve Grobman, emphasised that while not all tasks require on-device processing, the company is preparing for more sensitive AI scans in the future, such as malware detection. Running such scans locally could enhance user privacy and improve efficiency by reducing the need for high-bandwidth data transfers to the cloud.

Initially, the McAfee Deepfake Detector will be available exclusively on Lenovo Copilot+ PCs until mid-September. After that, McAfee plans to roll out the tool to other PCs, making it accessible to a broader audience. This move highlights McAfee’s commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats in the digital landscape and providing users with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly AI-driven world.