Deepfake Image Detection using CNNs and Transfer Learning

Headways in deep learning has enabled the creation of fraudulent digital content with ease. This fraudulent digital content created is entirely indistinguishable from the original digital content. This close identicalness has what it takes to cause havoc. This fraudulent digital content, popularly known as deepfakes having the potential to change the truth and decay faith, can leave impressions on a large scale and even our daily lives. Deepfake is composed of two words, the first being deep: deep learning and the second being fake: fake digital content. Artificial intelligence forming the nucleus of any deepfake formulation technology empowers it to dodge most of the deepfake detection techniques through learning. This ability of deepfakes to learn and elude detection technologies is a matter of significant concern. In this research work, we focus on our efforts towards the detection of deepfake images. We follow two approaches for deepfake image detection, and the first is to build a custom CNN based deep learning network to detect deepfake images, and the second is to use the concept of transfer learning.