3 days ago
How misinformation is rampant during LA protests
AI -generated fake videos and photos are spreading rapidly on social media, particularly X, about the ongoing protests in Los Angeles, often reinforcing pre-existing narrative s and misinformation.
These AI-generated fakes include videos of a rioter claiming to be paid, a National Guard soldier reporting oil-filled balloons being thrown, and a man throwing a Molotov cocktail, all of which are not actually happening.
Chatbots like ChatGPT and Grok have also been providing false information about the protests, including misattributing photos of National Guard members and falsely claiming a photo of bricks was taken at the LA protests.
Experts warn that these AI-generated fakes are a new tool in the spread of disinformation, joining manipulated photos and out-of-context videos, and are often targeted at reinforcing partisan talking points.
Tips for spotting AI-generated videos include looking for suspiciously clean visuals, overly attractive people, strange details like fingers and buttons, blurred writing, and unusual background behavior; fact-checking with trusted media is also advised.
