MrBeast calls AI deepfakes a 'serious problem' after scam ad of Youtube star ... trends now
MrBeast has urged social media platforms to tackle a surge in AI deepfakes after fraudsters posted a phony video version of him to scam his millions of followers.
The world’s most popular YouTuber sounded the alarm over a scam posting on TikTok that appeared to show him offering free iPhone 15s to followers who clicked on a link.
But criminals had used Artificial Intelligence to create an animated avatar, virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.
The scam came to light just days after actor Tom Hanks and CNBS host Gayle King lashed out at deepfake images of themselves which advertisers created without permission.
‘Lots of people are getting this deepfake scam ad of me,’ tweeted MrBeast, real name James Donaldson, to his 24 million followers on Twitter, formerly X.
‘Are social media platforms ready to handle the rise of AI deepfakes? This is a serious problem.’
The MrBeast fake came just days after Tom Hanks warned of a bogus advert featuring him, appearing to show a young rendering of Hanks in a black shirt and suit jacket.
Gayle King too warned her Instagram followers that her voice has been spoofed on a weight loss company's post
The bogus video appeared to show the influencer in a pink hoodie and black cap speaking persuasively to camera as subtitles ran underneath.
‘If you’re watching this video, you’re one of the 10,000 lucky people who’ll get an iPhone 15 Pro for just $2.
‘I’m MrBeast and I’m doing the world’s largest iPhone 15 giveaway, click the link below to claim yours now!’
The bogus giveaway was all the more believable because his genuine videos are based on extravagant stunts in which he offers lavish gifts to unwitting members of the public.
The 25-year-old from Witchita, Kansas, has amassed 188million subscribers on YouTube and more than 50 billion views since he started posting in 2012.
By 2018 he was donating $100,000 worth of products to a homeless shelter, and He has since repeated the dose to an Uber driver, a waitress, and people in parking lots.
In one video, he dropped $20,000 out
