Kathmandu, Oct. 15 -- When a controversial audio recording involving a public figure surfaces in Nepal, one common response has been to dismiss it as AI-generated. AI is indeed being used to create fake voices and videos that spread misinformation. But how can we determine whether a recording is genuine or fabricated? And how convincingly can AI now mimic Nepali speech, including its regional accents and linguistic nuances?

These questions have resurfaced after several media outlets recently published an audio recording allegedly featuring Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Khagendra Sunar using abusive language and threatening a woman.

The controversy has reignited debate over whether AI-generated speech can be reliably distinguished fr...