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Deepfake vs. AI Videos: Understanding the Difference

Posted on date: 30 May, 2025

We see AI videos everywhere! Whether it’s an educational promo by a business or a deepfake entertainment video on social media, AI-generated videos are all over the internet.

However, there’s a lot of difference between AI-generated videos and deepfake videos. While one is ethical and authentic, the other can create a lot of trouble.

In this blog, we dive into the topic - deepfake vs. AI videos, what they are, the characteristic features of each, how to differentiate between the two, and more.

What are deepfake videos?

Deepfake videos are created using artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. Deepfake videos are fabricated and made to look real and authentic. For example, these videos swap faces, voices, create new scenes that appear real but are not. Deepfakes can have pros and cons based on how they are used.

Pros

  • Deepfake videos are used for entertainment, such as in movies, for comedy, etc.
  • These videos can be used to recreate historical events for educational purposes

Cons

  • Deepfake videos are often used to deceive people and spread false information
  • Deepfakes invade privacy and impersonate individuals without consent
  • These videos can be used for mimicking appearances, scams and cyberbullying

Example:

Videomagic

What are AI-generated videos?

AI-generated videos are created using artificial intelligence technologies. These technologies involve automating video production processes, such as generating visuals, editing, scriptwriting, adding sound, etc. AI technology uses machine learning algorithms to interpret prompts and to produce engaging videos. AI-generated videos have plus points as well as some drawbacks.

Pros

  • AI-generated videos can be created within minutes, compared to the traditional video-making process
  • AI videos cost much lesser than traditional video-making as it only requires AI tools
  • They offer creative flexibility compared to traditional methods of producing videos

Cons

  • AI-generated videos may not meet the quality levels of professionally produced videos
  • Using AI videos is surrounded by issues, such as authenticity and misuse
  • Using AI for making videos may lead to over-reliance on AI tools for video production

Deepfake vs AI videos

Both deepfake and AI videos use AI to create videos, however, their purpose is different. Their characteristics are also different. While AI-generated videos create new content that is mostly for creative purposes and legitimate use, deepfake videos are the opposite. Deepfake videos are created by manipulating existing content. They are created to deceive, and are often used illegitimately.

Let’s get into the differences of deepfake and AI videos a little deeper:

Technology used and the purpose

AI-generated videos create fresh content for marketing and educational purposes. This content is not real. For example, an AI influencer is a digital version of a human being.

Deepfake video technology includes AI technologies. Deepfakes are generally meant to be deceptive. They are used for digital impersonation and often not ethical. For example, a deepfake celebrity used to spread fake news. AI video ethics is one of the most important differentiating factors between the two.

Use cases of deepfake and AI videos

AI-generated videos are often used for marketing, product showcases, explainer videos, automated content creation for marketing, as well as other business processes, such as, for training employees.

Deepfake videos are often used for impersonation, entertainment, face-swapping, for spreading misinformation, among other deceptive uses.

Ethical and legal considerations

When discussing Deepfake vs AI videos, one of the key factors is the ethical considerations. AI video ethics is a key differentiating factor between the two. AI-generated videos are more ethical and have more transparency. They are created and used more for marketing and business use.

Deepfake videos are surrounded by issues such as privacy, misinformation, impersonation, and others. That is because unlike AI videos, these are often used for unethical purposes.

Deepfake vs AI videos: human input

AI-generated videos can be automatically created using text, documents, templates, etc. These require minimal human effort as there are various AI tools that can be used to create AI videos.

Deepfake video technology often requires human inputs, such as technical expertise, editing skills, to ensure the fake video looks real.

Transparency and authenticity

AI-generated content is original. It is not real and is not depicted as real, nor are AI videos used to mimic or deceive people. AI videos are more authentic and transparent. Deepfakes are often created and used to mimic and deceive perceptions and play with reality. Their transparency and authenticity is almost always questionable.

Regulation and public perception

AI-generated videos are accepted as a format for marketing, to create content, for various purposes by businesses and for scalability of content creation, as it is a faster method. However, AI videos and content still require ethical considerations.

Deepfake videos are often shared for the purpose of deception or speaking fake news. They are increasingly regulated because of this misuse and concerns. However, it is difficult to regulate deepfake videos before they are published and shared with the public.

Realism vs artificiality

AI-generated videos can mostly be differentiated from real videos as they exhibit some level of artificiality. Moreover, many AI-generated videos explicitly mention that they are generated via AI technology.

However, as AI technology advances, it is becoming harder to spot the difference between real and AI videos. Deepfakes are created for hyper-realism and look more close to reality. They are difficult to detect.

Complexity of creation

AI-generated videos are a lot simpler to create compared to deepfake videos. AI-generated videos can be created using software and basic editing skills. Deepfake videos require knowledge and skills as well as special software and tools.

Ease of detection

AI-generated videos can be easy to identify, while deepfakes can be really difficult to differentiate from real videos.

Deepfake vs AI videos: A quick overview

Here’s a quick overview of the differentiating factors between deepfake and AI-generated videos.

FactorsAI-generated mediaDeepfakes
BasicsNew content that may or may not look authentic and realCreated from existing content for the purpose of deception
PurposeUsed for marketing, business, training, and educational purposeUse for deception and spreading fake news
Common use caseMarketing, business, training, and educationalFace swapping, impersonation and misinformation
Ethical factorsHigh transparency and used ethicallyMisinformation, privacy, and consent issues
Human inputRequires minimal human effort as the process is automatedRequires human effort and skill
AuthenticityContent is original and considered authenticContent is not authentic as it is created by mimicking reality
RegulationAccepted and does not require regulationRegulated because it is used unethically
RealismDoes not aim for realism and can be easily detected as AIAims for hyper-realism and is hard to detect

How to create and use AI videos for your business?

If you’re looking to create AI-generated videos for your business, you must use an AI video tool. AI-generated videos can be easily created using AI video generators such as Videomagic.

You can create videos for marketing and promotional videos for your customers, and education and training-based videos of your employees. There are plenty of ways in which you can use Videomagic videos.

To create your first AI-generated video, explore Videomagic