Fake artificial intelligence (AI) videos circulating online have falsely depicted the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, suggesting that sharks are swimming in the flooded streets of Jamaica.
Hurricane Melissa, labeled as a Category 5 storm, is currently wreaking havoc in Jamaica and is anticipated to result in significant destruction. This storm is recorded as the most potent to hit the island in the past 174 years. Authorities in Jamaica have taken extensive precautions, leading to deserted streets in the capital city of Kingston.
Concerns on the island have been exacerbated by fabricated images of sharks in floodwaters, with multiple AI-generated videos surfacing on social media platforms. Some of these videos bear the watermark of OpenAI’s text-to-video model Sora, while others lack clear indicators of being fake.
Senator Dana Morris Dixon, the information minister of Jamaica, has been actively engaging in press briefings to disseminate accurate information about the hurricane. She has highlighted the prevalence of fake videos circulating on platforms like WhatsApp and urged the public to rely on official sources for updates.
Apart from the misleading shark images, various other misleading videos showing severe flooding and individuals fleeing from waves have been shared online.
A meteorology professor from the University of Oklahoma has cautioned against the risks associated with fake content, emphasizing that such deceptive material undermines the gravity of official warnings and could potentially lead to loss of life and property.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope and is projected to exit the region near the St. Ann parish in the north before progressing towards Cuba. Reports of landslides, fallen trees, and widespread power outages emerged prior to the storm’s arrival, with authorities emphasizing the slow process of cleanup and damage assessment.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stressed the vulnerability of the region to a Category 5 storm, stating that the focus now shifts to the pace of recovery in the aftermath of the hurricane.