Boards aren’t ready for the AI age: What happens when your CEO gets deepfaked?

Fortune

by James Richardson

March 3, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Deepfake technology has emerged as a significant threat to businesses, with attackers using synthetic media to impersonate executives and carry out fraud or manipulate stakeholders. In 2025 alone, deepfake-related fraud drained $1.1 billion from U.S. corporate accounts, tripling the previous year's total. Despite this alarming rise, most companies remain unprepared, with only 32% of executives confident in their organization’s ability to handle such incidents. The threat extends beyond financial fraud to reputational damage. A deepfake video of a CEO making inappropriate remarks or announcing false mergers could go viral before the company can respond, causing significant harm to brand integrity. The article highlights how attackers are increasingly using AI to clone voices and create realistic synthetic media, targeting high-level executives in both internal and external attacks. The communication gap between cybersecurity measures and reputational crisis management is a critical issue. While solutions like detection algorithms and verification protocols exist, few companies have established protocols for incidents involving synthetic media. This lack of preparation leaves brands vulnerable to simultaneous fraud events, potential disclosure obligations, and reputation crises. Businesses must address three key questions: 1) Do they have a disclosure protocol for synthetic media attacks? 2) Have they conducted deepfake tabletop exercises to simulate such scenarios? 3) Have they coordinated response plans with legal, cybersecurity, and investor relations teams? The visibility of executives through media appearances, social posts, and public speaking engagements provides attackers with the data needed to create convincing deepfakes. As the technology advances, so too does the sophistication of these attacks, making it essential for companies to act proactively. Implementing disclosure protocols, conducting simulations, and fostering cross-departmental coordination are crucial steps to mitigate risks and protect both financial and reputational stability.

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Originally published on Fortune on 3/3/2026