The Deepfake Watchlist: Week of May 1-7, 2026

Resemble AI's "Deepfake Watchlist" for the week of May 1-7, 2026, highlights significant incidents involving synthetic media, including a deepfake of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in lingerie, the exposure of Haotian AI's real-time deepfake software used by scammers, and the EU's agreement to ban AI systems that create sexualized deepfakes. Meloni condemned the deepfake as an attack on her reputation, illustrating a trend of targeting female leaders with sexualized synthetic imagery. Haotian AI, a Chinese-developed software, facilitates real-time face-swapping in video calls, posing significant enforcement challenges due to its distribution through money laundering networks. The EU's swift legislative response to ban AI tools for generating sexualized deepfakes reflects a shift towards prohibiting harmful AI technologies rather than solely relying on content moderation. Additionally, the use of AI in political and promotional contexts, as seen in Kash Patel's FBI video and Spencer Pratt's viral Batman campaign ad, underscores the growing normalization of synthetic content without disclosure. The report emphasizes the rapid advancement and accessibility of AI tools, outpacing institutional responses, and highlights the tension between AI use in the US and upcoming transparency requirements in the EU.