A recent influx of videos supposedly showing “drones” or other spooky unidentified aerial phenomena flying over darkened US skylines appears to be the result, in part, of AI-trickery.
Since late November, residents in New Jersey and at least five other states have reported spotting bright objects flying overhead. The sightings have stirred speculation, amplified by celebrities, commentators, and prominent public officials, that this is nefarious, experimental technology. Or aliens.
Now, several of the viral videos surfacing on TikTok and X over the past week are capitalizing on the panic; they also appear to exhibit the hallmark calling cards of generative AI manipulation. Almost none of the videos reviewed by Popular Science had any official label or disclosure from social media platforms warning users about possible digital editing.
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