NZ band Crowded House have had to call out a concerningly real-looking AI video claiming frontman Neil Finn suffers from erectile dysfunction.
The - and I can't stress this enough - FAKE video was posted to Facebook showing a computer-generated version of TVNZ’s Simon Dallow reporting that Neil Finn had just welcomed a new baby after battling erectile dysfunction.
Yeah, someone thought that up and actually made it.
In the clip, the AI Finn goes into detail, appearing to say he thought he’d never be able to become a father again.
“Honestly, I believe that chapter of my life was closed, not because I didn’t want it, but because I simply couldn’t,” the fake Finn began.
However, the real Crowded House were quick to repost the video with a warning to fans.
“We’re not sure where this came from, but please don’t be fooled,” they wrote. “Neil’s never had trouble with erections.”
What a sentence.
The bands response comes after the AI version of Finn claims: "For years, I lived with a problem most men are too ashamed to talk about. My erections became weaker and weaker until they stopped altogether. No desire, no confidence, no control. I was too embarrassed to even talk to my wife about it."
The video even goes as far as featuring a fake version of Māori doctor Lance O’Sullivan offering advice to men to further convince watchers that the fake news story is real.
Commenters have been enjoying the video while also pointing out how it initially had caught them out.
One person wrote: “I started watching it, and I’m like, hang on! Wait just one minute! Yup, AI for sure!”
“Jesus, AI is getting good. But you did write a fantastic tune early on with ‘Something So Strong’, so I had always wondered 🤣🤣,” another added.
A third wrote: “Oh, way too much information, AI Neil! 🤣.”
While in this case, many can see the humour of the situation, it’s clear that AI is becoming a growing concern on social media and the content we consume daily.
It’s a great reminder to keep our wits about us.
