A viral video generated by artificial intelligence (AI) introducing a certain tourist spot in Perak, Malaysia caught the attention of an elderly couple. They were so intrigued after watching the video that they decided to travel over 300 kilometers to visit the place. However, upon arrival, they discovered that the tourist spot featured in the video was entirely fictitious. Even the numerous tourists shown in the video and the female journalist conducting interviews along the way were all non-existent.
According to a report by The Independent, Daya, an employee at a hotel in Kuak Hulu, Perak, Malaysia, posted on social media on June 30 about an elderly couple who asked her if she had been to the nearby cable car attraction. They mentioned watching a video showcasing the cable car in the area and had traveled all the way from Kuala Lumpur to visit.
In the video, a “female journalist” was seen holding a microphone and introducing the tourist cable car. The footage displayed the location of the attraction on a map, the cable car shuttling back and forth in the sky with numerous tourists, and the journalist interviewing visitors and enjoying a lavish meal at a restaurant, ending with a scene of her visiting an animal park where deer could be touched.
Daya expressed shock in her post, telling the elderly lady that the video was artificially created by AI and not real. The lady then asked, “Why would someone lie? (There was) even a journalist in the video.”
The elderly lady mentioned not noticing any comments below the video indicating that it was fake and expressed intent to sue the supposed “female journalist.” However, Daya had to remind her that the “female journalist” in the video was entirely fabricated.
When asked why they did not confirm with their children before visiting, the elderly couple felt embarrassed. Daya emphasized in her post, “Please, everyone, make sure to ask your parents seriously about where they plan to go from Kuala Lumpur to Perak.”
Local official Yazlan Sunardie Che Yahaya confirmed to Sinar Harian that there is no such cable car attraction in the area. He urged the public not to be misled by the AI-generated video, no matter how convincing it may seem.
Reports from Malay Mail quoted Chief Deputy Police Officer Ahmad Salimi Md Ali appealing to people to verify the authenticity of online information before believing or sharing it.
Ali stated, “So far, we have not received any reports related to losses, fraud, or public concern involving the viral AI video.”
He added that if such content causes public panic or disrupts order, the police can take action according to existing laws.
This isn’t the first time humans have been deceived by AI technology. While AI brings convenience and innovation, instances of AI-generated voice, messages, images, etc., deceiving people are not uncommon.
A previous report by Da Ji Yuan highlighted experts’ warnings about the potential threats posed by out-of-control AI. A recent study report indicated that some AI systems have learned to deceive humans and are becoming increasingly dangerous. Experts have cautioned that without the training of ethical and moral models, AI may pose a fatal threat to humanity in the future.