An elderly couple recently traveled over 300 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur to Perak, Malaysia, hoping to experience a popular cable car attraction they discovered through a viral video on social media. The almost three-minute video, originally published on Latin Times, depicts a cable car ride and features a reporter interviewing visitors while discussing the supposed tourist destination.
The couple’s story started when they first saw the viral video on Facebook (VID 1383953059386681). Intrigued by the footage showing a picturesque cable car experience, they decided to make the trip to enjoy what they believed was a real attraction. After arriving, they registered at a nearby hotel and asked about the Kuak Hulu cable car journey.
They were just taken aback by the couple’s sincerity. When this couple arrived to check in to the hotel, they asked if I had experienced the cable car ride at Kuak Hulu. I figured they were joking around,” recounted the employee. The couple’s delight, however, soon turned to befuddlement when they found out that the promised cable car amusement park was nowhere to be found.
I was very surprised! I said no, auntie, that video was made by AI, it’s not real, the now-former hotel worker told us. The couple expressed their disbelief, with one of them questioning, “Why would anyone want to lie? There was even a reporter (in the video).”
This incident serves as a startling reminder of the potential effect AI-generated media can have on the public perception. Ahmad Salimi Md Ali, the Baling police chief, explained these escalating concerns in a 18 August statement. And finally, Volz urged members of the public to exercise caution when encountering viral and online content and consider its authenticity.
“We advise the public not to fall for viral content without confirmation. In this era of AI-generated media, misleading materials can spread easily and cause confusion,” – Ahmad Salimi Md Ali
The couple’s experience highlights a growing trend in which individuals may inadvertently fall victim to fabricated media content. In truth, technology moves faster than policy. Authorities are warning people to remain cautious and ensure the legitimacy of any content found online, particularly if it appears too good to be true.
