Volkswagen's deepfake AI ad has people in tears

AI art is causing controversy once again, and this time there's a big brand involved. Many people say they have been moved to tears by a Volkswagen advert that features Elis Regina Carvalho Costa, a legendary Brazilian singer who died over 40 years ago.

The car company used an actress and deepfake facial recognition software to make it look like the beloved singer was performing her 1976 hit Como Nossos Pais in a duet with her daughter while driving a VW van. It's powerfully emotive, but what would the singer think? (see our pick of the best deepfakes for more examples of how the technology has been used).

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Joe Foley

Joe is a regular freelance journalist and editor at Creative Bloq. He writes news, features and buying guides and keeps track of the best equipment and software for creatives, from video editing programs to monitors and accessories. A veteran news writer and photographer, he now works as a project manager at the London and Buenos Aires-based design, production and branding agency Hermana Creatives. There he manages a team of designers, photographers and video editors who specialise in producing visual content and design assets for the hospitality sector. He also dances Argentine tango.

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