Elderly Malaysian couple misled by AI-generated video of fictional cable car
An elderly Malaysian couple travelled over 370km after seeing an AI-generated video of a fictional cable car attraction on social media, reportedly shown as part of a news segment. Upon arriving in Perak, they discovered the video was synthetic media and the attraction did not exist, incurring wasted travel costs and experiencing embarrassment.
What happened
An AI-generated video depicting a fictional cable car attraction called 'Kuak Skyride' in Kuak Hulu, Perak, was shared on social media and reported as a news segment on a local channel. The nearly three-minute video featured a fake journalist from 'TV Rakyat' introducing the attraction and interviewing visitors, with scenes of queuing, a cable car ride over trees and mountains, and a deer petting zoo.
An elderly Malaysian couple travelled over 370km from Kuala Lumpur to Pengkalan Hulu in Perak after seeing the video, believing it was a real news report. Upon arrival, a hotel worker informed them the video was AI-generated and the cable car did not exist.
Reported impact
The elderly couple incurred costs and time traveling across the country based on the false information. The woman expressed embarrassment and frustration at having been misled, telling the hotel worker she did not see comments indicating the video was fake and expressing a wish to take legal action.
Index analysis
The AI-generated video demonstrated several tells of synthetic media, including a misshapen blob effect on a woman's body during a handstand at the video's end, though these were not immediately apparent to viewers who believed it was authentic reporting.
Governance controls
Following the incident going viral on social media, authorities issued clarifications stating that no such cable car project exists in Perak. A Baling district officer acknowledged the video's entertainment value while confirming it was not real.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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