Premier Graphics
& Animation
Work with us
Menu
Studio
OverviewServicesCapabilitiesThe Collection
Institute
OverviewProgrammesCourse libraryHow we teachCareersGuidesFor universities
Journal About Contact Work with us
Foundations · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Deepfake & Digital Human Ethics

This course explores the cutting-edge technology behind synthetic media and “Digital Humans.” Students will learn the technical foundations of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) used to create deepfakes, while simultaneously engaging in a rigorous examination of the ethical, legal, and societal implications. The curriculum prepares creators to use these powerful tools responsibly for entertainment, dubbing, and de-aging, while understanding the dangers of misinformation.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Understand the architecture of GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks) and Neural Rendering
  2. Create "Digital Doubles" and voice clones using ethical AI tools
  3. Analyze the legal landscape: Right of Publicity, Consent, and Copyright
  4. Master techniques for "Deepfake Detection" and media forensics
  5. Debate the ethical implications of resurrecting deceased actors and political misinformation
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01Introduction to Synthetic Media & GANs
  2. 02History of VFX Face Swaps vs. AI Deepfakes
  3. 03Technical Lab: DeepFaceLab/FaceSwap Basics
  4. 04Data Sets: Training & Bias in AI
  5. 05Digital Humans in Gaming & Metaverse
  6. 06De-Aging Techniques for Film
  7. 07Digital Makeup & Retouching via AI
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Audio Synthesis: Voice Cloning & TTS
  10. 10Lip-Syncing AI (Wav2Lip) for Dubbing
  11. 11The Ethics of Consent: "Re-animating" the Dead
  12. 12Deepfakes in Politics & Misinformation
  13. 13Legal Frameworks & Right of Publicity
  14. 14Detection Tools: Spotting the Fake
  15. 15Watermarking & Content Authenticity (C2PA)
  16. 16Final Project: The Ethical Synthetic Persona

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Ethical Synthetic Persona

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Deepfakes: The Coming Infocalypse by Nina Schick
  2. Generative Deep Learning by David Foster
  3. Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy by David J. Chalmers
  4. The Age of AI: And Our Human Future by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher
  5. Ethics of Artificial Intelligence by S. Matthew Liao
More in Foundations
AI Ethics for DocumentariesAs AI tools become capable of cloning voices and generating photorealistic footage, the definition of "non-fiction" is under siege.
Audience Behavior PsychologyWhy do we click? Why do we scroll? This course merges data science with behavioral psychology to decode digital consumption.
Media EthicsThis course explores ethical frameworks, media laws, regulatory bodies, professionalism, and responsibilities in the electronic and print media industries.
Media PsychologyThis course introduces foundational concepts in psychology, including sensation, perception, consciousness, memory, intelligence, personality, motivation, emotion, and social behavior.
Online Media Law & EthicsThe internet is not a lawless frontier. This critical course navigates the complex legal and ethical frameworks governing digital content.
Pakistan & Islamic StudiesThis course provides an overview of Islamic history, beliefs, law, society, and the development of the Muslim world, with emphasis on the sub-continent, Pakistan’s formation, constitutional evolution, and contemporary global relations.