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Int'l Business Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
Elderly Couple Traveled Cross Country to Visit Viral Tourist Attraction. But It Was All AI-Generated
An elderly couple in Malaysia traveled hundreds of miles to ride a tourist attraction they saw a video of on social media, only to discover that the attraction did not actually exist and the video had been AI-generated. The couple made the journey from Kuala Lumpur to Perak, traveling over 300 km to ride a cable car tourist attraction they had learned about through a viral video on social media. When they arrived, they asked a hotel worker for directions to the attraction, upon which they were informed that the ride did not exist, reported the Straits Times. "(The couple) came to check into the hotel, and they asked if I had ridden the cable car at Kuak Hulu. I thought they were just kidding," said the worker. The hotel worker took to social media platform Threads to detail the incident after she realized that the couple had been entirely serious. "I was so shocked... I explained to the auntie that the video was made by artificial intelligence and not real," said the hotel worker. The video, which is nearly three minutes long, depicts a cable car ride and a reporter with a microphone talking about the attraction while interviewing people in the area regarding the ride. "The auntie then asked, 'Why would anyone want to lie? There was even a reporter (in the video),'" she added. The worker explained to the woman that the journalist in the footage was not a real person, and had also been AI generated and that no such cable car attraction exists in the area. "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," Baling police chief Ahmad Salimi Md Ali told the outlet. Originally published on Latin Times Artificial intelligence AI Facebook
Malay Mail
04-07-2025
- Malay Mail
AI-generated ‘Baling-Pengkalan Hulu cable car' dupes KL couple into 300km trip, officials explain viral news clip is fake
BALING, July 4 — Authorities have dismissed a viral video claiming the existence of a cable car linking Pengkalan Hulu in Perak to Baling in Kedah, saying it was generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Sinar Harian quoted Baling District Officer Yazlan Sunardie Che Yahaya confirming that no such project exists and urged the public not to be misled by digital content, however convincing it may seem. 'Of course, it doesn't exist... but I admit, it was exciting to watch. We were entertained, even if it was just AI-generated content. 'Who knows, maybe one day it could become a reality. After all, Baling and Pengkalan Hulu do have mountains and scenic views that are suitable and beautiful,' he was quoted saying. The video, which had gone viral on TikTok and Facebook, had reportedly prompted a couple to travel over 300km from Kuala Lumpur, believing the cable car was real and hoping to experience the ride. Yazlan said the incident highlighted how AI-generated media could mislead users and create unnecessary confusion, and added that he would be the first to try such an attraction if it ever became real. Acting Baling district police chief Deputy Superintendent Ahmad Salimi Md Ali also called on the public to verify online content before believing or sharing it. 'To date, we have not received any reports involving losses, fraud or public concern related to the viral AI-generated video. 'Checks conducted in both Baling and Pengkalan Hulu have confirmed that no such cable car project exists,' he reportedly said. He noted that action could be taken under existing laws if such content caused public alarm or disrupted order. The AI-generated video featured a fictitious news segment by 'TV Rakyat' showing scenes of a cable car called 'Kuak SkyRide' travelling over forests and mountains, with purported interviews with tourists. A hotel worker in Gerik, Perak, recounted on social media how she had to break the news to the couple, who were shocked to learn the attraction was fake. The woman reportedly asked why anyone would lie, citing the presence of a 'reporter' in the video, and even considered suing the fictitious journalist. The couple admitted they were too embarrassed to ask their children about the video beforehand, while the hotel worker urged others to help elderly parents verify their travel plans.
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Public cautioned over AI-generated video after fake cable car clip circulates
BALING: Police have urged the public to be wary of viral advertisements and promotional content online, especially in light of a recent AI-generated video that falsely depicted a cable car connecting Pangkalan Hulu in Perak to Baling. Acting Baling police chief Deputy Superintendent Ahmad Salimi Md Ali said no official complaints had been lodged, but the incident serves as a reminder to verify the authenticity of content circulating on social media. "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," he said. He said no such cable car project exists in the district, and preliminary checks confirmed the video was entirely fabricated. The realistic-looking video, which went viral on TikTok and Facebook, misled a retired couple from Kuala Lumpur into travelling to Baling hoping to ride the fictional cable car. Baling District Officer Yazlan Sunardie Che Yahaya also weighed in, acknowledging that while the clip was fake, the quality was impressive. "There's no such thing, obviously," Yazlan told the New Straits Times. "But I have to admit, the video was very well done. "Even though it was AI-generated, it sparked an interesting idea. "With the terrain and scenery here, something like that might actually be possible one day." He said that if it were real, he would be the first to line up for a ride. Yazlan said the incident highlights the power and potential of AI content, as well as the need for media literacy among the public. "If such videos ever cause undue panic or disruption, they could be investigated under existing laws," said Ahmad Salimi.
