Berlin, Germany – Fans of the popular animated show “South Park” are divided over a deepfake recreation of the characters as real people in an Eighties sitcom. The deepfake technology, created by an artificial intelligence artist known as “demonflyingfox,” imagines what the characters would look like if they were played by real actors on a live-action set. The video, which has gained attention on Reddit, showcases the deepfake version of Eric Cartman, Kyle Broflovski, Stan Marsh, and Kenny McCormick, as well as other characters from the show like Mr Mackey and Randy Marsh.
Deepfakes, which are digitally manipulated photos and videos created using AI or machine learning, have sparked a range of reactions from viewers. Some found the deepfake recreations to be “creepy and weird,” while others praised the accuracy of the depictions. However, one user sarcastically commented on the constant blinking of the characters throughout the video, joking that it made them “less creepy.”
Critics of the video pointed out both positive and negative aspects of the deepfake versions. While they praised the accuracy of characters like Randy, Stan, and Mr Slave, they felt that Kenny’s appearance was not true to the original character. Additionally, the realistic yet fictional nature of the deepfake faces left some viewers feeling unnerved and creeped out.
This deepfake recreation of “South Park” characters is not the first AI-generated art produced by “demonflyingfox.” The artist has previously shared creations such as Harry Potter characters reimagined as Balenciaga models and a French version of Batman villain The Joker. The artist’s work demonstrates the growing capabilities and influence of AI in the realm of art.
It’s worth noting that last year, a US tech company called Fable Simulation developed an AI tool called AI Showrunner, which allows users to create their own episodes of “South Park.” This tool can generate an entire episode based on a one or two-sentence prompt, even creating an original character based on the user’s voice and appearance. The tool, however, is only used for research purposes and will not be publicly available.
The debate surrounding deepfake technology continues, with some appreciating its artistic potential and others expressing concerns about its potential misuse. As deepfake technology continues to advance, it remains to be seen how it will shape the future of entertainment and artistic creations like the deepfake recreation of “South Park.”