The Viral Storm AI Fakes Deceiving Millions Online

AI-Generated Storm Surges on Social Media

As Hurricane Melissa tracks closer to Jamaica, a different kind of storm is overwhelming social media platforms. Dramatic, and entirely fake, videos created with artificial intelligence are being widely shared online, particularly on TikTok, where they have accumulated millions of views. A simple search for Hurricane Melissa on the platform reveals a flood of AI-generated content and old, out-of-context clips from previous storms, making it difficult for users to distinguish fact from fiction.

The Deceptive Tactics Behind Viral Fakes

These videos employ various tactics to appear authentic. Some creators are transparent, leaving watermarks from AI-generators like OpenAI’s text-to-video model, Sora. However, many others take a more deceptive approach. In several clips, watermarks have been deliberately blurred or removed in a clear attempt to mislead viewers. Some videos go even further by featuring fake reporters and piecing together short clips to mimic the style of legitimate local news reports, adding a false layer of credibility.

From Swimming Sharks to Fake Flights

Several specific examples have gone viral. One video, viewed half a million times, shows a woman filming from a balcony as two sharks appear to swim in heavily flooded streets below. A blurred mark on the video, likely a hidden watermark, suggests an intent to deceive, although the uploader later added a caption indicating it was made with AI.

Another incredibly popular clip, with 2.6 million views, purports to show the eye of the hurricane filmed from a passenger plane. The caption reads, “That moment when you realise the swirling clouds below aren’t just clouds… they’re a hurricane.” This video is not real and was shared by a user with a history of posting fake disaster footage. The clip bears a striking resemblance to real footage captured by the US Air Force Reserve crew known as the "Hurricane Hunters".

In another instance, a video shows men fleeing from a massive wave. A small watermark for VEO, Google’s text-to-video generator, is visible, confirming its artificial origins.

Platforms Struggle to Contain the Wave

Social media platforms are facing a significant challenge in moderating this content. According to a recent report, TikTok has recently removed more than two dozen AI-generated videos related to the hurricane. Despite these efforts, new clips continue to circulate widely across the platform. In response to the ongoing spread of this content, BBC Verify has reached out to TikTok for an official comment.