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Vladimir Putin was caught off guard today during his marathon end of year press conference when he looked up to the big screen expecting to see a Russian citizen phoning in – and instead came face to face with an AI deepfake of himself. A student from Saint Petersburg State University had constructed the visual and audio likeness of the Russian President, and took the opportunity to ask the real Putin to share his thoughts on the dangers of AI and if he uses body doubles. ‘Vladimir Vladimirovich, hello… I would like to ask you, is it true that you have many doppelgangers?’ the double asked, prompting laughter from the Moscow audience.
![The question comes amid speculation in Western media, but also from independent Russian sources, that the Kremlin chief may employ body doubles. 'How do you view the dangers that artificial intelligence and neural networks bring into our lives?' the student added. The question prompted a rare hesitation from Putin, whose eyes visibly widened when he noticed the digital body double flash up on screen. 'I see you may resemble me and speak with my voice. But I have thought about it and decided that only one person must be like me and speak with my voice... and that will be me!' Putin retorted, before adding: 'By the way - this is my first double,' perhaps conscious of dispelling any rumors of doppelgangers.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/14/15/78958985-12864463-The_question_comes_amid_speculation_in_Western_media_but_also_fr-a-15_1702566239649.jpg)
The question comes amid speculation in Western media, but also from independent Russian sources, that the Kremlin chief may employ body doubles. ‘How do you view the dangers that artificial intelligence and neural networks bring into our lives?’ the student added. The question prompted a rare hesitation from Putin, whose eyes visibly widened when he noticed the digital body double flash up on screen. ‘I see you may resemble me and speak with my voice. But I have thought about it and decided that only one person must be like me and speak with my voice… and that will be me!’ Putin retorted, before adding: ‘By the way – this is my first double,’ perhaps conscious of dispelling any rumors of doppelgangers.
![The comment, said with a smirk in a jovial tone, prompted yet more laughs from the audience. The Kremlin has previously denied Putin uses body doubles due to his own health problems or for security reasons. Despite this, rumors continue to flourish fueled by Ukrainian military intelligence that there are several Putins stand-ins - who underwent plastic surgery and years of training to act as doppelgängers. A Japanese AI analysis based on voice, gait and facial recognition backed the theory that more than one body double is deployed by the Kremlin.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/14/15/78956623-12864463-The_comment_said_with_a_smirk_in_a_jovial_tone_prompted_yet_more-a-17_1702566239762.jpg)
The comment, said with a smirk in a jovial tone, prompted yet more laughs from the audience. The Kremlin has previously denied Putin uses body doubles due to his own health problems or for security reasons. Despite this, rumors continue to flourish fueled by Ukrainian military intelligence that there are several Putins stand-ins – who underwent plastic surgery and years of training to act as doppelgängers. A Japanese AI analysis based on voice, gait and facial recognition backed the theory that more than one body double is deployed by the Kremlin.
![At one point today he appeared momentarily breathless as he coughed. He blamed the 'air conditioning'. 'Excuse me, the air conditioners are in overdrive,' he told viewers. Putin's back and forth with his digital likeness stood out as a lighthearted moment amid what was an otherwise serious affair in which he fielded questions about the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, relations with the West and China, Russia's economic policy, and all manner of domestic issues. Putin, who has held power for nearly 24 years either as President or Prime Minister and announced last week he is running for reelection, was greeted with applause as he arrived in the hall in central Moscow.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/14/15/78958973-12864463-At_one_point_today_he_appeared_momentarily_breathless_as_he_coug-a-14_1702566239648.jpg)
At one point today he appeared momentarily breathless as he coughed. He blamed the ‘air conditioning’. ‘Excuse me, the air conditioners are in overdrive,’ he told viewers. Putin’s back and forth with his digital likeness stood out as a lighthearted moment amid what was an otherwise serious affair in which he fielded questions about the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, relations with the West and China, Russia’s economic policy, and all manner of domestic issues. Putin, who has held power for nearly 24 years either as President or Prime Minister and announced last week he is running for reelection, was greeted with applause as he arrived in the hall in central Moscow.
![This year, ordinary citizens had the chance to phone in questions along with those from journalists, and Russian state media said at least 2 million questions for Putin had been submitted ahead of time. Early in the proceedings he declared there would be no peace in Ukraine until the Kremlin realizes its goals, which remain unchanged after nearly two years of fighting that has sent tensions soaring between Moscow and the West. He dismissed the need for a second wave of mobilization of reservists to fight in Ukraine - a move that has been deeply unpopular. He said there are some 617,000 Russian soldiers there, including around 244,000 troops who were called up to fight alongside professional military forces, and said there would be around 500,000 volunteers who had signed contracts to fight for Russia by the end of the year.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/14/15/78955021-12864463-This_year_ordinary_citizens_had_the_chance_to_phone_in_questions-a-18_1702566239764.jpg)
This year, ordinary citizens had the chance to phone in questions along with those from journalists, and Russian state media said at least 2 million questions for Putin had been submitted ahead of time. Early in the proceedings he declared there would be no peace in Ukraine until the Kremlin realizes its goals, which remain unchanged after nearly two years of fighting that has sent tensions soaring between Moscow and the West. He dismissed the need for a second wave of mobilization of reservists to fight in Ukraine – a move that has been deeply unpopular. He said there are some 617,000 Russian soldiers there, including around 244,000 troops who were called up to fight alongside professional military forces, and said there would be around 500,000 volunteers who had signed contracts to fight for Russia by the end of the year.
!['There will be peace when we will achieve our goals,' Putin said, repeating a frequent Kremlin line. 'Victory will be ours.' 'We have 1,500 men signing up every day - why do we need another round of mobilization?' he asked rhetorically. He reiterated that Moscow's goals in Ukraine - 'de-Nazification, de-militarization and a neutral status' of Ukraine - remain unchanged. He had spelled out those loosely defined objectives the day he sent troops into its neighbor in February 2022. Putin has also demanded that Ukraine remain neutral and refrain from joining NATO. When asked a question about the West's support of Ukraine, Putin became visibly irritated. 'Speaking of normalizing relations... they (the West) have always been pushing us back. 'We've been trying our best to build normal relations with Ukraine... we've always been saying Russians and Ukrainians are one people and what we're seeing now is a tragedy, a war between brothers. The entire south-east of Ukraine has always been pro-Russia,' Putin declared.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/14/15/78958971-12864463-_There_will_be_peace_when_we_will_achieve_our_goals_Putin_said_r-a-16_1702566239670.jpg)
‘There will be peace when we will achieve our goals,’ Putin said, repeating a frequent Kremlin line. ‘Victory will be ours.’ ‘We have 1,500 men signing up every day – why do we need another round of mobilization?’ he asked rhetorically. He reiterated that Moscow’s goals in Ukraine – ‘de-Nazification, de-militarization and a neutral status’ of Ukraine – remain unchanged. He had spelled out those loosely defined objectives the day he sent troops into its neighbor in February 2022. Putin has also demanded that Ukraine remain neutral and refrain from joining NATO. When asked a question about the West’s support of Ukraine, Putin became visibly irritated. ‘Speaking of normalizing relations… they (the West) have always been pushing us back. ‘We’ve been trying our best to build normal relations with Ukraine… we’ve always been saying Russians and Ukrainians are one people and what we’re seeing now is a tragedy, a war between brothers. The entire south-east of Ukraine has always been pro-Russia,’ Putin declared.
!['(The West) would not allow us to build normal relations with Ukraine,' he continued. 'We will not forget it, their aspiration to creep up to our borders and take Ukraine into NATO. They forced our hand.' Relations between Russia and the US have plunged to new lows as the conflict has continued and after Moscow detained Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich while on a reporting trip to Russia in March. Shortly before Putin spoke, a Russian court ruled that Gershkovich, 32, must stay behind bars until at least Jan. 30. US citizen Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, also has been jailed in Russia since his 2018 arrest on espionage-related charges. 'We're not refusing to return them,' Putin told a New York Times journalist in the press conference, adding that he wanted to reach an agreement but 'it's not easy.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/14/15/78955027-12864463-_The_West_would_not_allow_us_to_build_normal_relations_with_Ukra-a-19_1702566239789.jpg)
‘(The West) would not allow us to build normal relations with Ukraine,’ he continued. ‘We will not forget it, their aspiration to creep up to our borders and take Ukraine into NATO. They forced our hand.’ Relations between Russia and the US have plunged to new lows as the conflict has continued and after Moscow detained Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich while on a reporting trip to Russia in March. Shortly before Putin spoke, a Russian court ruled that Gershkovich, 32, must stay behind bars until at least Jan. 30. US citizen Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, also has been jailed in Russia since his 2018 arrest on espionage-related charges. ‘We’re not refusing to return them,’ Putin told a New York Times journalist in the press conference, adding that he wanted to reach an agreement but ‘it’s not easy.’
![He refused to go into details of any exchange but said Washington 'must hear us' and make an offer that satisfies Russia. On Israel and Palestine, Putin said no comparisons could be made with the situation in Ukraine and said he was committed to providing humanitarian aid to Gazans. 'Everything that is happening (in Gaza ) is catastrophic. But that is not what is going on in Ukraine. The UN today said the Gaza Strip is the largest child's cemetery in the world. This is objective. 'First of all we need to provide massive humanitarian support. They've asked us to provide more medical equipment and we will do that without a doubt,' he said, before adding Russia had set up a field hospital near Rafah and was planning a second, in spite of Israeli disapproval. Speaking on Russian-Chinese ties, Putin lauded the cooperation between him and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, declaring relations between the two countries were at an unprecedented high.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/14/15/78955023-12864463-He_refused_to_go_into_details_of_any_exchange_but_said_Washingto-a-20_1702566239790.jpg)
He refused to go into details of any exchange but said Washington ‘must hear us’ and make an offer that satisfies Russia. On Israel and Palestine, Putin said no comparisons could be made with the situation in Ukraine and said he was committed to providing humanitarian aid to Gazans. ‘Everything that is happening (in Gaza ) is catastrophic. But that is not what is going on in Ukraine. The UN today said the Gaza Strip is the largest child’s cemetery in the world. This is objective. ‘First of all we need to provide massive humanitarian support. They’ve asked us to provide more medical equipment and we will do that without a doubt,’ he said, before adding Russia had set up a field hospital near Rafah and was planning a second, in spite of Israeli disapproval. Speaking on Russian-Chinese ties, Putin lauded the cooperation between him and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, declaring relations between the two countries were at an unprecedented high.
![He also spoke of growth in the Russian economy in spite of Western sanctions. Putin appeared calm and relaxed during the news conference, although he frequently cleared his throat - blaming the air conditioning. His appearance is primarily aimed at a domestic audience and is a chance for him to appear personally involved in resolving the problems of ordinary Russians and reinforce his authority ahead of the March 17 election. Although the news conference is heavily choreographed, some questions - which Putin didn't answer - appeared to slip through the net , appearing on screens around the hall. 'Mr. President, when will the real Russia be the same as the one on TV?' one text message said, apparently referring to the Kremlin's control over the media that portrays Putin in a positive light, glosses over the country's problems and highlights its achievements. Another read: 'I'd like to know, when will our president pay attention to his own country? We've got no education, no health care. The abyss lies ahead.' Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12864047/Stunned-Putin-double-takes-confronted-AI-deepfake.html?ito=msngallery](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/14/15/78958981-12864463-He_also_spoke_of_growth_in_the_Russian_economy_in_spite_of_Weste-a-11_1702566239548.jpg)
He also spoke of growth in the Russian economy in spite of Western sanctions. Putin appeared calm and relaxed during the news conference, although he frequently cleared his throat – blaming the air conditioning. His appearance is primarily aimed at a domestic audience and is a chance for him to appear personally involved in resolving the problems of ordinary Russians and reinforce his authority ahead of the March 17 election. Although the news conference is heavily choreographed, some questions – which Putin didn’t answer – appeared to slip through the net , appearing on screens around the hall. ‘Mr. President, when will the real Russia be the same as the one on TV?’ one text message said, apparently referring to the Kremlin’s control over the media that portrays Putin in a positive light, glosses over the country’s problems and highlights its achievements. Another read: ‘I’d like to know, when will our president pay attention to his own country? We’ve got no education, no health care. The abyss lies ahead.’ Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12864047/Stunned-Putin-double-takes-confronted-AI-deepfake.html?ito=msngallery
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