The National Times - 'Cool' Macron uses his deepfake videos to promote AI summit

'Cool' Macron uses his deepfake videos to promote AI summit


'Cool' Macron uses his deepfake videos to promote AI summit
'Cool' Macron uses his deepfake videos to promote AI summit / Photo: © POOL/AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron has posted artificial intelligence-generated fake videos that he features in as he promoted a technology summit that opens in Paris on Monday.

Change text size:

In one scene, Macron dances to a 1980s hit song "Voyage Voyage" by French singer Desireless.

In another, he is inserted in a spy comedy film about the exploits of a French secret agent played by Jean Dujardin.

In a third, he sings a rap song and shows off his moves, channelling French performer Nekfeu.

"Nicely done," the real Macron, who sported a suit and tie, said in the video.

"It's pretty well done, it made me laugh," Macron added, referring to the videos created over the years and featured in his Instagram post.

"More seriously, with artificial intelligence, we can do some very big things: change healthcare, energy, life in our society", the 47-year-old president said.

"France and Europe must be at the heart of this revolution to seize every opportunity and also to promote our principles," he added.

On Monday and Tuesday, Macron will host the AI Action Summit in Paris, gathering heads of state and government. India will co-chair the event.

The clip ends with one of the most famous parodies in which Macron is depicted as US television action hero MacGyver, known for his looks and resourcefulness.

"There, that's definitely me," quipped Macron.

By Sunday afternoon, the post has racked up more than 73,000 likes on Instagram.

Some people said they thought that Macron's Instagram account had been hacked.

"A cool president," said one comment.

A.Parker--TNT

Featured

Singer Sierra Ferrell Condemns ICE for Using Song in Racist Promo Video

Singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell has publicly condemned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after the agency used her song 'American Dreaming' in a promotional video depicting nostalgic 1950s America. Ferrell described the clip as racist and is considering legal action against the government for infringing on her rights.

Palestinian Official Cites Political Barriers to International Environmental Funding at COP31

Palestine is being systematically denied access to medium- and large-scale international environmental funding for political reasons, Zaghloul Samhan, head of the Palestinian Environmental Quality Authority, told delegates at COP31 in Antalya on Saturday. Speaking at a session focused on the Global Environment Facility, Samhan argued that these barriers prevent his country from fulfilling its treaty obligations despite being a full member of the relevant international conventions.

Anonymous Staff Letters Emerge at Surrey City Hall Amid Executive Absences

A series of anonymous emails purportedly from Surrey city employees has surfaced, criticizing the new municipal leadership. The correspondence arrives as top officials, including the city manager and solicitor, remain absent from public view amid reports of staff reductions.

Bessent Blames Commerce Dept for Failing to Blacklist Nvidia Partner Megaspeed

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Friday that four government agencies had advocated for placing Singapore-based chip distributor Megaspeed on a trade blacklist for months, but the Commerce Department failed to do so. The comments intensify scrutiny of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick amid allegations that his administration stalled export controls on Nvidia chips destined for China.

Change text size: