The AI Illusion: 5 Mind-Blowing Ways Fakes are Ruining Reality—Are You Being Fooled?

Thanh Thu, a 28-year-old resident of Ho Chi Minh City, experienced the disorienting effects of AI-generated misinformation firsthand last month. Initially convinced by a grainy photograph showcasing people clinging to rooftops amid flooding in Thai Nguyen Province, she soon realized something was amiss. "On closer look, it made no sense as multiple helicopters were hovering just above the water yet not rescuing anyone," she recounted.

This incident served as a wake-up call for her. When she later encountered a distressing video of flooding, the red flags became apparent: the grandmother’s face was blurred, and nearby individuals appeared unperturbed, casually chatting with the water only reaching their knees. "The footage was heart-breaking at first and gave me a strong urge to share it, but I realized in time that it was AI-generated just to attract views," Thu reflected.

As social media floods with images of friends seemingly enjoying glamorous vacations—only to find that their faces are the only changes in identical AI-generated settings—Thu's skepticism has grown. In a similar vein, Hoang Viet, a 27-year-old nature enthusiast in Hanoi, shared his own brush with deception. He once spent over an hour captivated by a TikTok video showcasing a supposed "rainbow mushroom," only to find out later that the species was entirely fictional. "I did more research and asked experts only to find out the species does not exist at all," he said.

Both Thu and Viet's experiences highlight a growing trend of AI manipulation in media, where fake content often masquerades as reality. The rise of tools such as OpenAI’s Sora, Google’s Veo 3, and Runway this year has fueled an explosion of AI-generated images and videos, from staged travel photos to fabricated family reunions with deceased relatives.

Dr. Dinh Ngoc Son, a digital transformation expert, notes that AI-generated content is specifically designed to exploit our emotions and curiosity. "Sensational or unusual information always spreads faster," he explained. "As AI improves realism, the spread becomes stronger, creating an emotional whirlwind that is difficult to control." As a result, the line between reality and fabrication is increasingly blurred, creating significant challenges around authenticity and digital ethics.

Recent incidents illustrate the potential fallout of this misinformation crisis. In July, the Malaysian newspaper The Star reported on a couple who traveled 300 kilometers to a tourist destination that turned out to be a complete fabrication produced by AI. Such examples underscore the urgent need for vigilance as users share content without verifying its authenticity, distorting public perception and undermining reliable information platforms.

Cybersecurity expert Ngo Minh Hieu, known as Hieu PC, warns that many individuals unknowingly expose personal data by uploading photos to AI-powered editing applications. "With just a smartphone, anyone can create AI products," he stated. He cautioned that while many use these tools for innocent purposes, scammers are increasingly exploiting them to deceive those who lack technical savvy.

As technology evolves, so does the strategy of criminals. During a recent national seminar on online fraud prevention, Deputy Minister of Public Security Pham The Tung emphasized that criminals are utilizing AI and deepfake technologies to defraud citizens. On October 28, the anti-scam platform Chongluadao.vn issued a warning about fraudsters manipulating e-commerce livestreams to solicit purchases. These scammers alter genuine sales videos, making sellers appear disabled or ill, to exploit viewer sympathy. They even create multiple fake accounts to amplify emotional comments, further deceiving their audience.

Thu, who previously fell victim to such scams, expressed her confusion about the current landscape of digital content. "Now, when even images of those people can be faked, I do not know what to believe," she said.

Combatting this wave of AI-driven misinformation will require collective action, according to Dr. Son. He advocates for improved fact-checking skills among individuals and urges journalism and education sectors to bolster digital media literacy. "The foundation remains digital ethics. When each person is equipped with a personal ‘filter,’ AI will no longer be a threat," he remarked.

Hieu added that Vietnam's forthcoming Artificial Intelligence Law, which includes provisions for personal data protection and is expected to be introduced early next year, will play a crucial role in safeguarding users and businesses alike.

In the wake of these developments, Thu has adopted a more cautious approach, meticulously reviewing every piece of content before sharing it. "When truth and falsehood are nearly indistinguishable, I must spend extra time verifying, so I will not be led by those chasing clicks or scams," she concluded.