AI-Generated Content Sparks Controversy and Anxiety Online

In Japan, a surge in bear attacks has coincided with the rise of AI-generated videos, leading to significant public anxiety. According to The Guardian, experts warn that the spread of realistic AI videos depicting bear encounters is exacerbating fears and potentially endangering lives.

The videos, many produced using OpenAI's Sora technology, often show exaggerated or entirely fabricated scenarios, such as bears attacking people or destroying property. For instance, clips of bears at solar plants and even stealing dogs have gone viral.

However, these videos can mislead viewers, as many are not based on actual events. The Yomiuri Shimbun highlighted that about sixty percent of selected TikTok videos related to bear encounters were found to be fake, created with Sora and marked with a Sora watermark.

This misinformation complicates the public's understanding of real threats, especially as the country faces a record number of bear sightings and attacks. In 2024 alone, reports indicated over twenty thousand bear sightings, a significant increase from the previous year.

The situation is dire, with a record thirteen fatalities attributed to bear attacks this year, more than double the previous high, and over a hundred injuries reported. This alarming trend has prompted local authorities to suspend services, such as Japan Post halting deliveries in affected areas, and NTT East reassessing safety protocols for field engineers.

Moreover, the videos often depict dangerous actions, such as feeding bears or confronting them, which can instill false confidence in viewers about how to handle bear encounters. Shinsuke Koike, a professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, cautioned that feeding bears could lead to them losing their fear of humans, increasing the risk of attacks.

The AI-generated content's realism is so convincing that even seasoned viewers may struggle to differentiate between authentic and fabricated videos, raising concerns about misinformation impacting safety protocols and government messaging on bear encounters.

With the decline of natural boundaries due to rural depopulation and food shortages for bears, the animals are encroaching on urban areas, intensifying the danger. The intersection of AI technology with public safety has ignited debates about the responsibilities of creators and platforms in curbing the spread of misinformation, especially when it poses real risks to individuals and communities.

As the technology continues to evolve, the challenge of distinguishing AI-generated content from reality remains a pressing concern.