TLDR:
- AI-generated images and videos fueled rumors about immigrants attacking pets in Springfield, Ohio
- High-profile accounts shared cartoonish AI images, gaining massive viewership
- Some AI-generated content contained racist imagery and stereotypes
- AI tools made it easier and faster to create and spread memes about the rumor
- The baseless claims had real-world consequences, including bomb threats and safety concerns for Haitian immigrants
In recent days, Springfield, Ohio, has become the epicenter of a rumor claiming that immigrants are abducting and eating household pets. This story has gained significant traction, largely due to the rapid spread of artificial intelligence (AI) generated images and videos across social media platforms.
The rumor initially circulated through thinly sourced anecdotes shared at local government meetings and on social media.
However, it gained momentum when high-profile accounts, including tech billionaire Elon Musk’s, began sharing AI-generated images related to the story. These cartoonish images, created using various AI apps such as Musk’s Grok service and a Chinese-owned app, quickly went viral.
Users of these AI tools produced a wide variety of images and videos in a matter of seconds. Some depicted former President Donald Trump as a protector of animals, while others portrayed Vice President Kamala Harris in a negative light.
Many of these AI-generated contents accumulated tens of millions of views and eventually made their way to Trump’s own social media accounts.
Some of the shared images contained openly prejudiced and racist content. For example, one frequently shared image showed an AI-generated Trump running through a field with cats under his arms, pursued by two shirtless Black men.
The rapid proliferation of these AI-generated memes has had real-world consequences. In Springfield, local schools and government offices have been targeted by bomb threats. Some Haitian immigrants in the area have expressed fear for their safety due to the unfounded rumors.
Experts note that while there were concerns about realistic deepfakes potentially threatening public discourse during the election season, it is these obviously fake, quickly produced AI images that are actually shaping public opinion.
The ease of creating these images has further democratized meme-making, allowing for faster and wider spread of misinformation.
The AI-generated content related to this rumor has been notable for its variety. Images and videos have ranged from cats holding military-style rifles to defend themselves, to Trump cuddling cats and ducks.
The sheer volume of content has been described as a “tsunami,” with countless videos and images being uploaded across platforms such as Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram.
While pro-Harris AI-generated images related to pets were relatively rare, some social media users did share images such as Harris holding a dog with a sign saying “Dogs for Harris.”
Critics argue that these memes reveal underlying racial biases and warn about the potential impact on democratic discourse. They emphasize the need for caution in how such AI-generated content shapes public opinion and political narratives.
As AI tools become more accessible, the potential for rapid creation and dissemination of misleading or false narratives increases. This incident serves as a reminder of the power of social media and AI in shaping public perception.
