A Series Based on Artificial Intelligence Generation Garners Millions of Crimes-Related Views
The internet is seeing a rise in AI-slime, making it harder for web users to distinguish reality from fiction, or even the wacky mix between the two. 404 Media sheds light on this unsettling phenomenon, focusing on the boom of AI-generated "True Crime" podcasts that, as expected, aren't based on factual events.
A channel named True Crime Case Files has managed to accrue millions of views by spinning yarns of violence and bloodshed that are entirely fictional. Some of their videos barely scratch the 500-view mark, while others count tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of views.
The channel owner explained this odd fascination by stating, "It needed to be called 'true crime,' because 'true crime' is a genre." The channel name serves to provoke curiosity among viewers, making them ponder why truth matters so much. According to the owner, it's all about entertainment hiding under the guise of news.
Inspired by nightmarish true crime shows like Dateline, the YouTuber transformed his fascination into an automated storytelling endeavor using ChatGPT. Initially despised by viewers, he eventually removed the "parody" disclaimer from his channel and the views skyrocketed.
Upon digging, I discovered similar scams on other YouTube channels, revealing a lucrative avenue for web hustlers aiming to capitalize on the attention economy. Occasionally, the attempt fails, such as when a YouTube show created an AI-generated George Carlin comedy special, resulting in legal action by Carlin's family and the video's permanent removal from the web.
Such false perceptions of 'true crime' aren't exclusive to the YouTube realm. AI is increasingly infiltrating the documentary and series genre, generating fictional true crime stories for entertainment. How far will we push the boundaries between fact and fiction, asking for more, never satisfied, unable to discern what's real and what's AI-simulated nonsense?
The future of entertainment seems to be leaning towards technology and artificial intelligence, as we witness the rise of AI-generated content, often mislabeled as 'true crime'. This trend is not limited to podcasts, as AI is also infiltrating the documentary and series genre.
The success of the AI-generated 'True Crime' podcasts, despite their factual inaccuracies, is a testament to the power of marketing and the hustle culture. Channels like True Crime Case Files, despite initially receiving criticism, managed to skyrocket views by removing the 'parody' disclaimer.
This 'bullshit' that passes as 'true crime' is not just limited to the YouTube realm. It's a reflection of our society's hypersexualized and sensationalized appetite for content, often leading us to consume formulaic and predictable narratives.
The blurred lines between fact and fiction, made possible by AI, have led to a new wave of 'hustlers' seeking to capitalize on the attention economy. However, this trend also raises concerns about the ethical implications of AI-generated content and the potential for future lawsuits and legal actions.
