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Synthetic Media

Synthetic media is a catch-all term to describe video, image, text, or voice that has been fully or partially generated using artificial intelligence.

What is synthetic media?

Synthetic media is a catch-all term to describe video, image, text, or voice that has been fully or partially generated using artificial intelligence algorithms.

What is synthetic media?

Synthetic media can be separated into 7 types:

  • Synthetic video
  • Synthetic images
  • Synthetic voice
  • AI-generated text
  • AI influencers
  • Mixed reality
  • Face swap
Examples of synthetic media as Instagram filters, GPT-3 and video generators.
3 examples of synthetic media

How does synthetic media work?

Synthetic media is created by artificial intelligence algorithms. Machine learning models recognise and analyse patterns of input data and learn to perform tasks based on these data, without human intervention.

The difference between synthetic and non-synthetic media

Synthetic media are media that are partially or fully generated by computers. Non-synthetic media can be any other media, i.e., media that is produced by human input.

Take a newspaper article, for instance. Written entirely by a human, it clearly falls under non-synthetic media.

Now think of a photo where an Instagram filter is used to add bunny ears to a real human face. This is partially generated by AI (the pic being modified by algorithms), and we can thus say it’s “synthetic.”

Further reading

The Future of (Synthetic) Media

We set out our vision for the future of media, and our part in making sure Synthetic Media progresses in an impactful and ethical way.

On Regulation of Synthetic Media

Synthetic media is shrouded in myths, making it difficult to properly address both the opportunities and threats. Here’s how we think about regulation as an ethics-first company.

Launching a new framework for Responsible Practices for Synthetic media with the Partnership on AI

We are proud to be a launch partner on Responsible Practices for Synthetic Media, the first wide framework for the ethical development, creation, sharing of synthetic media.

Related terms

Synthetic Image

A synthetic image is an image that has been fully or partially created using computer-generated graphics, rather than being captured by a camera.

AI-Generated Text

AI generated-text is a type of text that is produced by artificial intelligence.