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Creators Expose AI Manipulation to Educate Public
Social media influencers use viral videos to show how AI can create convincing fakes
Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:38pm
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As AI-generated content becomes more convincing, social media creators are using viral videos to expose the technology's manipulation capabilities and raise awareness about the dangers of online misinformation.San Diego TodayAs AI-generated content becomes increasingly indistinguishable from reality, two social media creators are using their platforms to educate the public on how to spot manipulated media. Madeline Salazar and Travis Bible create viral videos demonstrating AI's ability to seamlessly blend real and fake elements, hoping to raise awareness about the dangers of online misinformation.
Why it matters
The proliferation of AI-manipulated content poses serious threats, from scams and community discord to the erosion of trust in what is real. By proactively showing their audiences how AI can be used to create convincing fakes, these creators aim to equip people with the critical thinking skills needed to navigate the increasingly blurred line between reality and fiction online.
The details
Salazar and Bible use programs like Adobe Firefly and Photoshop to blend real footage with AI-generated elements, creating videos that are nearly indistinguishable from reality. Salazar's popular "AI or Real" series features humorous examples, like a potato disguised as a designer purse, to demonstrate AI's capabilities. Bible, a filmmaker, created a PSA for his parents to show them the extent of AI manipulation. Both creators believe raising awareness is crucial, as AI-powered deepfakes can cause significant financial losses and erode public trust.
- Salazar's "AI or Real" videos have reached millions of views on social media.
- The Department of Homeland Security recently released a report warning that deepfakes pose threats to national security and personal finances.
- A 2025 report by Resemble AI found that AI-powered deepfakes caused more than $200 million in financial losses in just the first quarter of that year.
The players
Madeline Salazar
A social media creator who produces viral videos demonstrating the power of AI to manipulate content, including blending real and fake elements.
Travis Bible
A filmmaker who created a public service announcement video to show his parents the extent of AI manipulation, which generated over 2 million likes on Instagram.
What they’re saying
“I am showing you how to be aware of it.”
— Madeline Salazar, Social media creator
“I'm trying to create AI awareness. I don't want people to be caught off guard, kind of like the way I was, with how far this technology has come. It's not coming, it's here.”
— Travis Bible, Filmmaker
What’s next
The Department of Homeland Security and Resemble AI will continue to monitor the impact of AI-manipulated content and provide guidance to the public on how to identify and mitigate the risks.
The takeaway
As AI technology advances, the ability to create convincing fakes that are indistinguishable from reality poses significant challenges. By proactively educating the public on these capabilities, social media creators are empowering people to think critically about the content they encounter online and be more discerning consumers of information.
