Elderly Couple Duped By Fake AI Travel Video

A Hopeful Journey to a Phantom Destination

An elderly Malaysian couple recently embarked on a three-hour journey from the bustling capital of Kuala Lumpur to the quieter state of Perak, filled with anticipation for a new tourist spot they had seen online. Their destination was a scenic cable car ride that promised breathtaking views. Unfortunately, the destination only existed in the digital realm, created entirely by artificial intelligence.

The Reality Check at the Hotel

Upon arriving in Perak on June 30, the couple checked into a local hotel. They eagerly asked a staff member for directions to the scenic cable car attraction. The hotel employee, who later shared the story on social media under the handle @dyaaaaaaa._, was initially baffled. Thinking they were joking, she informed them that no such cable car existed in the quiet town and that there was little to see in the area.

The couple, however, refused to believe her. They were convinced of the attraction's legitimacy, explaining that they had watched a video featuring a television host from a channel called “TV Rakyat” who personally experienced the ride and even interviewed other supposed visitors.

Unmasking the AI-Generated Deception

The staff member then had the difficult task of explaining that what they had seen was not a real news report but a sophisticated AI-generated video. The video, promoting a fictional attraction named “Kuak Skyride” in Kuak Hulu, Perak, was convincingly made. It showed a glamorous female host enjoying a tram ride through lush forests and mountains, complete with fake interviews to enhance its authenticity.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing power of AI to create convincing misinformation. The video was reportedly so controversial after the story broke that it has since been taken down, but not before it led one couple on a long and disappointing journey to a place that never was.