In a peculiar and concerning trend emerging from China, a growing number of wives are reportedly employing artificial intelligence (AI) to generate deepfake videos. These fabricated clips often depict homeless individuals inside their homes, serving as a ‘test’ for their husbands’ or boyfriends’ love and commitment.
According to reports, these women actively participate in Chinese social media platforms, instructing AI tools to create realistic footage of vagrants entering their private spaces. The generated videos are then sent to their partners, accompanied by stories claiming they had offered shelter to a homeless person. The aim is to observe their partners’ reactions and, by extension, their perceived loyalty.
The AI-generated content has seen significant traction online, with some videos garnering hundreds of thousands of likes. However, this practice has not gone unnoticed by authorities, who have issued stern warnings.
AI Prank Leads to Police Intervention
One notable incident occurred in Anhui province on October 17th. A woman sent AI-generated images of a homeless man in her home to her husband, who was out with friends. Believing the footage to be real, the husband immediately contacted the police. Upon investigation, officers found the images to be AI-fabricated and cautioned the woman for causing public panic and wasting resources.
Legal Ramifications and Public Backlash
The trend has faced widespread criticism on social media, with many users admitting to feeling regret after attempting similar pranks. In one instance, a prank involving AI-generated homeless men led to a police complaint and punishment for spreading false information.
Chinese authorities are highlighting the legal consequences, citing the Public Security Administration Punishment Law, which allows for detention up to 10 days and fines for such actions. Furthermore, if widespread AI-generated footage incites public panic, it could be classified as fabricating false information, potentially leading to a prison sentence of up to five years.