AI Deepfakes Advance as US Policies Risk Ceding Clean Energy Dominance to china
A new generation of hyperrealistic AI avatars, capable of mimicking individuals with unsettling accuracy, is emerging alongside concerns that US energy policy is inadvertently bolstering China’s lead in the critical clean energy sector. Recent demonstrations by AI company Synthesia showcase avatars so convincing they could pass for high-definition recordings, raising questions about the blurring lines between artificial and real and the potential psychological impact of interacting with AI clones.
This technological leap forward coincides with a troubling trend in the solar energy market. Despite originating the technology, the United States has fallen far behind China in production and export. Last year, China exported $40 billion worth of solar panels and modules, while the US managed a mere $69 million, according to The New York Times. Experts warn that current US policies, which prioritize support for aging fossil fuel industries, risk repeating this ancient mistake and further cementing China’s dominance in clean energy.
Synthesia’s latest AI model, introduced last month, represents a meaningful advancement in avatar realism. The company’s avatars are now capable of more expressive movements and, soon, interactive conversation. This progress raises essential questions about authenticity and the potential for misuse, as detailed in a recent Technology Review report.
The US initially held a considerable technological advantage in solar energy. in 1954, researchers at Bell Labs unveiled the first practical solar panels, powering a toy Ferris wheel with sunlight. However, the nation failed to capitalize on this early innovation. Now,policies favoring established fossil fuel interests threaten to stifle the growth of domestic clean energy industries,effectively handing a crucial economic chance to China.Further analysis of the situation and its implications can be found in Technology Review: source=thedownload&utmmedium=email&utmcampaign=thedownload.unpaid.engagement&utmterm=%7CSUBCLASS%7C&utmcontent=%7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C“>https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/04/1123054/synthesias-ai-clones-are-more-expressive-than-ever-soon-theyll-be-able-to-talk-back/?utmsource=thedownload&utmmedium=email&utmcampaign=thedownload.unpaid.engagement&utmterm=%7CSUBCLASS%7C&utmcontent=%7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C.