Name: AI Hacks and Hops: Deepfakes Decoded - What Every Human Should Know
Start: 2025-10-08T17:30:00-04:00
End: 2025-10-08T19:30:00-04:00
Location: One World West Asheville

**Deepfakes Decoded - What Every Human Should Know**
**Speaker:** [David Hawthorne](https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hawthorne-0401b5a/)

Ever wonder how viral deepfake videos are made? Or worried about how this technology might affect your online presence and offline life? As AI tools become mainstream, deepfake technology is reshaping our digital landscape, and whether you're building a personal brand or just navigating social media, it's time to understand what's happening. Join us for a deep (and sometimes terrifying) dive into the world of deepfakes.

**No technical background required!** Just bring your curiosity and questions as we explore this rapidly evolving technology together.

**What We'll Cover:**

* **Live Demo:** Watch a deepfake being created from scratch running in real-time for a peek under the hood at the technology that makes it all possible.
* **Interactive Discussion:** The good uses (film, education, content creation, privacy protection) and the concerning ones (misinformation, identity theft, fraud and espionage)
* **Protect Yourself:** Practical tips to safeguard against fraud and protect your identity or business

**Speaker Bio**
David Hawthorne is Director of Cloud Engineering at O3 Solutions, a growth stage SaaS startup, where he oversees cloud, data, DevOps, security, and compliance. Before joining O3, he served as a data architect for a SaaS healthcare venture. When he’s not coding cloud infrastructure or wrangling vendor risk assessments, you can find him prototyping quirky side projects, roaming mountain apple orchards, or catching baseball games with family.

**General Event Info**
AI Hacks and Hops is a monthly event tailored for non-technical professionals, entrepreneurs, marketers, engineers, or anyone who wants to explore and discuss how to use AI.

Each gathering will feature presentations, stimulating group discussions, and a relaxed atmosphere for enjoying your favorite brews while delving into the world of AI. Topics will range from AI integration in business processes, marketing, content creation, software, ethical considerations, human-AI collaboration strategies, to the latest advancements in AI technology. The informal setting encourages open dialogue, idea exchange, and fosters a collaborative spirit.

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Every 2nd Wednesday of the month until January 13, 2026

AI Hacks and Hops: Deepfakes Decoded - What Every Human Should Know

Artificial Intelligence

One World West Asheville 

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