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AI Deep Fakes and 'Weaponized Weather' Misinformation Target Hurricane Victims

Author: Content Editor
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has seen an influx of both AI-generated and human-driven misinformation on social media, distorting the reality of recovery efforts and spreading unfounded fears about Hurricane Milton. Social media platforms like Facebook and X have become ground zero for the spread of disinformation, amplifying false narratives. Conspiracy theorists, inspired by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green's tweet suggesting anonymous people control the weather, claim that Hurricane Milton was man-made. The American Red Cross and other organizations are combating this misinformation through a social media push, calling it out and providing correct information. However, the problem continues to escalate, with AI-generated deep fakes being shared widely. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published a list of rumors and lies circulating on social media to counteract the spread of misinformation. Despite the negatives, AI is being used to translate and spread facts about severe weather events in multiple languages, helping to reach communities that were previously underserved.

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