Deepfake videos impersonating Al-Azhar Grand Imam used in fraudulent medical ads
AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating Egypt's Al-Azhar Grand Imam using synthetic video and voice technology were used in fraudulent advertisements for medicines and medical products. Al-Azhar's media center warned the public of the forgeries and announced legal action against those responsible for creating and distributing the fake content.
What happened
The Al-Azhar Media Center warned of fabricated videos and promotional advertisements using artificial intelligence techniques that impersonate the image and voice of Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, to promote medicines and therapeutic products.
The center stated that the materials are forgeries unrelated to the Grand Imam or Al-Azhar, and that impersonating his image or voice constitutes falsification, fraud, and misleading of public opinion intended to exploit his position for unlawful commercial purposes.
Reported impact
The fraudulent advertisements target the public with fake medical product promotions attributed to the Grand Imam, potentially misleading consumers into purchasing unapproved or harmful products based on false endorsements.
Index analysis
The use of deepfake video and voice synthesis technology enabled creation of convincing but false content impersonating a religious authority figure to lend credibility to medical product claims.
Governance controls
Al-Azhar stated it would take all necessary legal and judicial procedures against anyone proven involved in producing, fabricating, publishing, or promoting these advertisements or using them to suggest approval by the Grand Imam.
The center called on citizens and social media users to refrain from engaging with these products or advertisements, avoid sharing or interacting with the fake content, report it, and verify information through official Al-Azhar platforms.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.