# Deepfakes and Higher Education: A Research Agenda and Scoping Review of Synthetic Media

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.15601 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.15601/

## Key facts

- Cited by 5 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 15 of its 116 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 24 Apr 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 15 of 15)

- [DeepFakes and Beyond: A Survey of Face Manipulation and Fake Detection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2001.00179/) (2020)
- [VASA-1: Lifelike Audio-Driven Talking Faces Generated in Real Time](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.10667/) (2024)
- [Realistic Speech-Driven Facial Animation with GANs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1906.06337/) (2019)
- [Testing of Detection Tools for AI-Generated Text](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.15666/) (2023)
- [DeepRhythm: Exposing DeepFakes with Attentional Visual Heartbeat Rhythms](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2006.07634/) (2020)
- [Beyond the Spectrum: Detecting Deepfakes via Re-Synthesis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2105.14376/) (2021)
- [Fighting deepfakes by detecting GAN DCT anomalies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2101.09781/) (2021)
- [FakePolisher: Making DeepFakes More Detection-Evasive by Shallow Reconstruction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2006.07533/) (2020)
- [DeepFakesON-Phys: DeepFakes Detection based on Heart Rate Estimation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2010.00400/) (2020)
- [Warning: Humans Cannot Reliably Detect Speech Deepfakes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.07829/) (2023)
- [Game of Tones: Faculty detection of GPT-4 generated content in university assessments](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2305.18081/) (2023)
- [Are Deepfakes Concerning? Analyzing Conversations of Deepfakes on Reddit and Exploring Societal Implications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.15044/) (2022)
- [GenAI Detection Tools, Adversarial Techniques and Implications for Inclusivity in Higher Education](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.19148/) (2024)
- [On the Horizon: Interactive and Compositional Deepfakes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2209.01714/) (2022)
- [Finding AI-Generated Faces in the Wild](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2311.08577/) (2023)

## Built on by (most cited first, 5 of 5)

- [Generative AI Tools in Academic Research: Applications and Implications for Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methodologies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2408.06872/) (2024)
- [Generative AI and Agency in Education: A Critical Scoping Review and Thematic Analysis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.00631/) (2024)
- [Al'em do Desempenho: Um Estudo da Confiabilidade de Detectores de Deepfakes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.08674/) (2026)
- [The EAP-AIAS: Adapting the AI Assessment Scale for English for Academic Purposes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2408.01075/) (2024)
- [A Peek Behind the Curtain: Using Step-Around Prompt Engineering to Identify Bias and Misinformation in GenAI Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.15205/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The availability of software which can produce convincing yet synthetic media poses both threats and benefits to tertiary education globally. While other forms of synthetic media exist, this study focuses on deepfakes, which are advanced Generative AI (GenAI) fakes of real people. This conceptual paper assesses the current literature on deepfakes across multiple disciplines by conducting an initial scoping review of 182 peer-reviewed publications. The review reveals three major trends: detection methods, malicious applications, and potential benefits, although no specific studies on deepfakes in the tertiary educational context were found. Following a discussion of these trends, this study applies the findings to postulate the major risks and potential mitigation strategies of deepfake technologies in higher education, as well as potential beneficial uses to aid the teaching and learning of both deepfakes and synthetic media. This culminates in the proposal of a research agenda to build a comprehensive, cross-cultural approach to investigate deepfakes in higher education.