Church Fights Back Against AI Deepfake Epidemic

AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating Catholic bishops and Pope Leo XIV are flooding social media, fooling thousands of viewers. Some fakes follow identical scripts across multiple videos, while others are outright scams designed to steal money from unsuspecting followers. Priest Father Rafael Capó experienced identity theft firsthand when impersonators used his image to solicit money from his followers. Experts advise the faithful to stick to verified official Church channels and watch for telltale editing glitches, while institutions like St. Thomas University are developing ethical AI standards to combat the growing threat.