Date of Award
8-23-2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Public Relations
Advisor(s)
Erika Schneider
Keywords
artificial intelligence;attribution theory;crisis communication;deepfake;Misinformation;Taylor Swift
Subject Categories
Public Administration | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
Due to the increase in deepfake technology, it is crucial to correctly confirm the truthfulness of information, especially in safeguarding reputation during challenging situations. This study applies theoretical frameworks to investigate the impact of deepfake content on the public perception of Taylor Swift, a prominent figure in American pop music. A quantitative content analysis will be conducted to analyze the top tweets produced by social media users (N=131) based on the source of the poster and the nature of the content, such as where the responsibility or blame for the deepfake crisis is attributed. The research explores the effects of AI-generated deepfake images of Taylor Swift on her image and public perception by examining its dissemination on social media. The key findings show a surprising lack of well-known influencers discussing the deepfake crisis with Taylor Swift. On the contrary, public perception was greatly influenced by nano-influencers and regular users working together. The involvement of these minor influencers emphasizes the impact of grassroots activities on social media. The findings were reliable, with high coefficients ranging from .85 to 1.0, ensuring their strength.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Chen, Ziying, "PERCEPTION OF CRISIS RESPONSIBILITY: EXAMINING AI-GENERATED DEEPFAKE CONTENT AND PUBLIC RESPONSE TO TAYLOR SWIFT" (2024). Theses - ALL. 896.
https://surface.syr.edu/thesis/896
