Monsters, asteroids, vampires: AI conspiracies flood TikTok

Conspiracy theory videos, often posted by anonymous accounts, typically had the tell-tale signs of AI-generated images such as extra fingers and distortions, said Richards. — AFP

WASHINGTON: From vampires and wendigos to killer asteroids, TikTok users are pumping out outlandish end-of-the-world conspiracy theories, researchers say, in yet another misinformation trend on a platform whose fate in the United States hangs in the balance.

In the trend reported by the nonprofit Media Matters, TikTok users seek to monetise viral videos that make unfounded claims about the US government secretly capturing or preserving mythical monsters that include – wait for it – King Kong.