Real or AI? The Internet Is Now Impossible to Trust

About this video

• Video Title: Real or AI? The Internet Is Now Impossible to Trust
• Channel: Vanessa Wingårdh
• Speakers: Vanessa Wingårdh (Narrator/Host)
• Duration: 17:51

Overview

This video explores the growing prevalence and impact of AI-generated content and deepfakes, highlighting how they are making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and artificial information online. It showcases various examples of AI misuse, including scams, fake influencers, and the creation of inauthentic products, raising concerns about trust, authenticity, and the future of the internet.

Key takeaways

• Impersonation and Scams: AI is being used to create deepfakes for scams, such as impersonating government officials (like Marco Rubio) or loved ones in distress to extort money. Voice cloning technology is a significant tool in these schemes.
• Fake Online Personas: AI-generated influencers (e.g., Mia and Anna) are gaining followings and attracting brand deals, blurring the lines between authentic human creators and artificial ones.
• Misinformation and "Scare Bait": AI-generated tragic event videos are designed to go viral, evolving clickbait and rage bait into "scare bait" that exploits people's emotions and erodes trust.
• AI in Commerce and Products: Scammers are using AI to create fake product listings on platforms like Etsy, altering original photos to appear unique. There's also a rise in AI-generated physical products that are poorly made and environmentally damaging.
• Erosion of Trust and Authenticity: The increasing sophistication of AI makes it difficult to verify authenticity, impacting everything from news and product reviews to personal interactions and even the perceived reality of online content, leading to concerns about the "dead internet theory."