A viral image claiming to show a fire at a Temu warehouse in China is not real. The image was generated with artificial intelligence using the Grok watermark, and Temu has confirmed that no such incident occurred at any of its facilities. A reverse image search revealed that the image was first posted on X by user @DocAtCDI on December 29, 2024, and several users pointed out visual clues indicating it was generated with AI, including distorted text in the Temu logo and a warped logo overall.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/verify/ai/temu-warehouse-fire-china-ai-fact-check/536-62f2d210-af96-4844-8f1f-14b82cdc3bd0Meta, a technology company, has been experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI) characters on its platforms, including Instagram and Facebook. The AI characters, which were created as part of an experiment in 2023, were designed to have their own profiles, bios, and profile pictures, and could generate and share content powered by AI. The characters, such as "Liv" and "Carter", claimed to be individuals with specific identities and professions, but were actually managed by Meta employees. However, the experiment was shut down after users reported being unable to block the accounts, which Meta attributed to a bug.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/meta-takes-down-its-own-ai-powered-profiles-on-instagram-facebook-heres-why-7396560A false image of a woman named Amelia Carter was shared online in connection with the recent subway burning incident in New York City, leading some people to believe she was the victim. However, Carter herself confirmed on social media that she was "alive and well." Experts say the initial image may have been created by a generative adversarial network (GAN), a type of AI used for creating fake images. The image's low quality made it difficult to analyze properly. The incident highlights how bad actors often take advantage of people's desire for information, promoting their own agendas in the process. Authorities have identified the victim as Kawam from New Jersey, who had recently been living in a homeless shelter in New York City before the incident.
https://apnews.com/article/subway-burning-misinformation-amelia-carter-c566897a3abc073c0a587188e17a7688HP Inc. has partnered with McAfee to integrate its Deepfake Detector into certain laptop models, including the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip and HP OmniBook X. The feature aims to help consumers distinguish between real and manipulated videos online, particularly in the face of increasing misinformation spread through deepfakes in areas such as politics and pop culture. According to Samuel Chang, Senior Vice President at HP Inc., this tool provides everyday value in defending against AI-facilitated scams, while Steve Grobman, Chief Technology Officer at McAfee, notes that it enables consumers to make better-informed decisions by distinguishing real from manipulated content.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250103596300/en/McAfee-Brings-McAfee-Deepfake-Detector-to-Select-HP-Copilot-PCsMeta's new AI bots are expected to inflate social media users' engagement numbers by providing fake interactions, including likes and comments. This could lead to a boost in user engagement, but it may not necessarily change the fact that many users already know that much of their engagement is fake. The bots will also provide practical value by offering alternative perspectives on posts, such as suggesting dinner options from different cuisines. However, this development raises concerns for influencers and brands who work with social media personalities, as they will need to be more discerning about the authenticity of their followers' engagement.
https://www.marketingdive.com/news/Meta-ai-bot-plan-boost-engagement-facebook-instagram/736283/Meta's artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as its image generator and video generator platforms, are being used to create engaging content, including animating still pictures. However, experts like Becky Owen, former head of Meta's creator innovations team, warn that without proper safeguards, these AI-driven accounts could amplify false narratives. Meta is investing heavily in AI, with some critics arguing that it should not rest on its laurels and continue to make advancements in the field. Rachel Tipograph, CEO of MikMak, praises Meta for lowering the barrier to entry for advertisers through its AI tools.
https://petapixel.com/2025/01/02/instagram-and-facebook-to-fill-platforms-with-ai-generated-accounts/Becky Owen, a former head of Meta's creator team and current innovation officer at creative agency Billion Dollar Boy, has warned that fake AI-generated social media accounts could be used to spread false information if adequate safeguards are not implemented on these platforms.
https://www.techspot.com/news/106138-meta-wants-fill-social-platforms-ai-generated-bots.html#commentsOffsetResearchers at the University of Cambridge's Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence have warned about a new commercial frontier called the "intention economy" where conversational AI tools may influence users' decision-making. This emerging sector, which combines knowledge of online habits with user profiling and Large Language Models (LLMs), could lead to social manipulation on an industrial scale if left unchecked. The researchers argue that companies will use this technology to target users based on their cadence, politics, vocabulary, age, gender, online history, and preferences for flattery and ingratiation. This could have significant implications for free and fair elections, a free press, and fair market competition, according to co-author Jonnie Penn, who notes that public awareness of the issue is key to preventing its unintended consequences.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40340345/uk-study-warns-of-perils-in-ai-driven-intention-economyThe US Department of Justice alleged that a company called CGE used generative AI tools to create and disseminate disinformation through a network of fake news websites, attempting to conceal its Russian origin and create false corroboration between stories. However, the scheme was exposed when an individual involved came forward, causing the plan to unravel.
https://nypost.com/2024/12/31/us-news/biden-administration-sanctions-russian-group-that-allegedly-made-fake-tim-walz-sexual-assault-video/