Fake NZ news pages are swamping Facebook with AI slop
3 months ago
- #AI-generated content
- #fake news
- #social media
- A flood of 'fake NZ news' pages on social media use AI to create misleading content, including animating photos of a Mount Maunganui landslide victim.
- Facebook page 'NZ News Hub' reposts legitimate news with added AI-generated images or videos, fooling many followers.
- AI-generated videos include grotesque animations of a 15-year-old victim and fake footage of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
- Andrew Lensen, an AI expert, notes these pages aim for engagement to build following and ad revenue.
- AI tools' easy availability allows anyone to create fake news, with little moderation from tech giants.
- False information about victims and events circulates, including distorted images of police and incorrect depictions of locations.
- Some AI images may avoid copyright issues by altering legitimate photos from news websites.
- Trust in journalism is undermined by fake news sources, increasing public distrust.
- Many fake pages originate from countries like Vietnam or Malaysia, far from the news events they cover.
- RNZ avoids using AI in reporting, adhering to strict AI principles to maintain trust.