Many individuals are making choices influenced by deepfake videos they find online, a global issue that needs addressing, stated Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.
He emphasized the rapid advancement of deepfake technology and its impact on decision-making after viewing such videos.
“Recently, at a dinner, people discussed whether they’d prefer a dog or a cat at home, which intrigued me as they weren’t pet enthusiasts. I said I’d choose a dog for its qualities. They argued that a cat could protect against a bear, tiger, or lion. I doubted this due to size differences. They showed me videos of a family being saved by a cat from a bear, and similar videos with lions and tigers. Deepfakes are becoming so convincing that people can’t discern reality, leading to decision-making,” Al Olama shared during a Gitex Global 2025 fireside chat.
“Some dinner attendees decided to adopt a cat. Imagine if such decisions related to policy, like voting for a leader or sharing sensitive data with companies,” he added during the discussion.
Highlighting deepfake dangers, Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy, cautioned against trusting videos showing him endorsing specific investments.
“You might have seen videos of me promoting certain shares. I’ve never done this. Be aware it’s a deepfake,” Al Marri stated at Gitex Global 2025.
Watermarks for Deepfake Videos
Al Olama mentioned public concerns about AI’s future. “It’s like a train departing without knowing the destination. A global effort is needed to educate and engage people.”
He observed that Gen Z’s work-related protests stem from fears that the future may not be as promising as now or the past.
On policy-making, he stressed the importance of government and tech community collaboration to create a clear watermark indicating deepfake content.
He emphasized the joint effort needed between public and private sectors.
Speaking at Gitex Global 2025, he advocated for eradicating ignorance and engaging in global rather than local dialogues. “For deepfakes, only global discussions will work.”
