Recently saw a video online that really fooled many. It showed two famous Hollywood actors in what looked like a new movie scene. The acting looked real. The lighting looked real. Even the voices sounded right. But then I found out something surprising. The whole thing was made by artificial intelligence, or AI.
That moment made me stop and think.
AI tools today can create videos that look almost exactly like real life. With just a short text prompt, someone can make a scene, add voices, and even include music. What used to take a big studio, cameras, and actors can now happen on a laptop.
Part of me finds this exciting. Creative tools are now open to more people. Someone with a good idea but little money can still tell a story. That feels fair and empowering.
But I also feel worried.
If some were fooled by that video, how many other people are being fooled too? And what happens when someone uses this technology to trick people on purpose? Fake ads, fake political messages, fake celebrity endorsements… these are not small problems. They can hurt real people.
I also think about public figures like actors, journalists, and even everyday people. Imagine seeing your own face in a video saying something you never said. That must feel scary. Identity theft used to mean stolen credit cards. Now it can mean stolen faces and voices.
Some people suggest banning these tools. I understand why. Fear makes us want to stop things quickly. But banning technology rarely works. The internet itself has risks, yet we still use it every day. Photoshop can change images, yet we didn’t ban photo editing.
So I believe the answer is balance.
Companies should build strong safeguards. Governments should create smart rules, not rushed bans. And most of all, we as users must stay alert. We cannot believe everything we see anymore. Checking sources and thinking twice is now part of daily life.
I also think intent matters. Are we making something funny and clearly fictional? Or are we trying to mislead people? That line can get blurry fast, especially when celebrities or politicians are involved.
In the end, technology itself is not the enemy. How we use it is what matters.
AI video tools can help creativity grow. They can also spread confusion if misused. That means responsibility does not sit only with companies or governments. It sits with all of us.
Next time I see a viral video, I will pause before sharing. I will ask questions first.
Because in a world where anything can look real, careful thinking might be our most important skill.
Dominic “Doc” Ligot is one of the leading voices in AI in the Philippines. Doc has been extensively cited in local and global media outlets including The Economist, South China Morning Post, Washington Post, and Agence France Presse. His award-winning work has been recognized and published by prestigious organizations such as NASA, Data.org, Digital Public Goods Alliance, the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF.
If you need guidance or training in maximizing AI for your career or business, reach out to Doc via https://docligot.com.
