Bogus AI videos falsely depicting the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa have circulated, showing sharks allegedly swimming in Jamaican streets.
Hurricane Melissa, categorized as a powerful Category 5 storm, is currently striking Jamaica with predictions of severe destruction. This hurricane marks the most potent storm to hit the island in its recorded history of 174 years. The government of Jamaica has taken extensive precautions, resulting in sparsely populated streets in Kingston, the capital.
Concerns on the island have been exacerbated by fabricated images of sharks circulating online. Several artificial intelligence-generated videos have emerged, depicting sharks in floodwaters.
Numerous false video clips have been shared on social media platforms, with some bearing the watermark of OpenAI’s text to video model Sora, while others lack clear indications of being fake.
Senator Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s information minister, has actively participated in press briefings to disseminate accurate information regarding the hurricane. Ms. Dixon emphasized the prevalence of fake videos circulating on social media platforms and urged the public to rely on official sources for information.
Apart from the shark imagery, other dramatic videos have surfaced, showcasing severe flooding and individuals fleeing from approaching waves.
A meteorology professor from the University of Oklahoma has issued a warning against the dangers posed by fake images. Professor Amy McGovern highlighted the potential for fake content to diminish the gravity of official warnings and jeopardize public safety and property.
Melissa, identified as one of the most formidable hurricanes in history, made landfall in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope and is predicted to exit around St. Ann parish in the north before moving towards Cuba, following a diagonal path across the island.
Reports of landslides, fallen trees, and widespread power outages preceded Melissa’s arrival, with Jamaican officials cautioning that recovery and damage assessment processes would be protracted. Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica stated that no infrastructure in the region could withstand a Category 5 hurricane, emphasizing the imminent challenge of swift recovery.
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