Authority in a World of Artificial Realities

Can We Trust What We See?

In an age where even the most compelling video evidence can be fabricated, how do we decide who—or what—to believe? The rise of artificial intelligence and immersive technologies is reshaping not just how we consume information but how authority itself is constructed. Today, we delve into the work of Dr. Michael Filimowicz, whose research on multimodal technologies, AI-generated media, and deep fakes offers profound insights into the future of authority.

Dr. Michael Filimowicz is a Senior Lecturer at Simon Fraser University’s School of Interactive Arts and Technology. His interdisciplinary work spans sound design, digital media, artificial intelligence, and philosophy. With projects ranging from AI-generated music videos to innovations in immersive technologies, Filimowicz explores the intersections of technology, communication, and creativity. His recent publications, such as Deep Fakes: Algorithms and Society and The Routledge Handbook of Sound Design, provide critical perspectives on the technological forces transforming society.

Filimowicz is particularly interested in how emerging tools affect our sensory and cognitive experiences. His research on multimodal display technologies—devices that integrate touch, sound, and vision to create new forms of interaction—extends beyond entertainment to fields like education, training, and telepresence. At its core, his work is a study of power: how it is mediated, distributed, and contested through technology.

The Future of Authority in Filimowicz’s Research

Filimowicz’s work raises urgent questions about authority in the digital age.

1. Deep Fakes and the Crisis of Trust

Deep fakes are a technological paradox: they democratize media creation while undermining the authority of authentic evidence. Filimowicz’s work in AI-generated media highlights the dual role of this technology. On one hand, it enables creative liberation; on the other, it destabilizes our ability to trust institutions that rely on visual or auditory proof, from courts to journalism.

"The erosion of trust in traditional media opens opportunities for decentralized forms of verification, but it also creates a vacuum where authority is contested by competing narratives."
(Deep Fakes: Algorithms and Society)

2. Immersive Technologies and Power Dynamics

As immersive environments like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) become mainstream, they are reshaping the terrain of authority. Filimowicz’s innovations in multimodal displays are not just about entertainment; they are about creating experiences that feel so real they challenge the distinction between truth and fabrication.

For example, governments and corporations might use immersive simulations for propaganda or training, reinforcing hierarchical control. Conversely, grassroots movements could use the same tools to foster empathy and collective action.

3. Algorithmic Creativity and Decentralized Authority

Filimowicz’s creative work, such as algorithmic music composition, reveals how algorithms can democratize artistic production. Yet, this raises questions about who controls the algorithms—and by extension, cultural authority. If AI creates a song or a film, who owns it? If AI curates our media consumption, who shapes our tastes and values?

Filimowicz’s work challenges centralized authority in profound ways. Deep fakes and algorithmic creativity question the legitimacy of traditional gatekeepers like governments, corporations, and even artists themselves. Immersive technologies offer opportunities for horizontal collaboration but also risks of top-down manipulation.

This tension—between the emancipatory potential of technology and its capacity to reinforce hierarchies—reflects broader struggles for autonomy and collective empowerment. As technology evolves, so must our strategies for resisting domination and reclaiming control over our shared realities.

Call to Action: Authority in Your Hands

Dr. Filimowicz’s research is a reminder that authority is not static; it evolves with the tools we create. As we navigate an era of artificial realities, we must ask ourselves:

• Who decides what is real?

• How can we hold those in power accountable in a post-truth world?

• What new forms of collective authority can we build with the same technologies that threaten to undermine it?

To reclaim authority in a world of deep fakes and immersive propaganda, we must invest in decentralized systems of trust, collective education about media literacy, and open technologies that empower communities over corporations.

The tools of the future are being built today. The question is: Who will wield them?

This issue was brought to you by Metaviews. Stay curious, stay critical.