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AI Impersonates Experts to Sell Dubious Supplements
6 Dec
Summary
- AI-generated videos impersonate health experts on social media.
- Videos falsely promote supplement products from Wellness Nest.
- TikTok initially failed to remove deepfake videos of doctors.
AI-generated deepfake videos are now being weaponized to spread health misinformation and promote dubious supplement products. Investigations have uncovered social media accounts utilizing AI to create realistic videos of respected doctors and academics, falsely endorsing items from companies like Wellness Nest. These fabricated clips exploit the trust placed in health professionals to mislead the public.
One prominent example involved Professor David Taylor-Robinson, whose appearance at a conference was altered to promote a probiotic for menopausal symptoms. Similar deepfakes featured other notable figures, including Dr. Aseem Malhotra and Duncan Selbie. While platforms like TikTok initially failed to adequately address the issue, eventually removing the content after significant public and personal reporting, the vast reach these videos achieved—with one gaining over 365,000 views—underscores the urgency of combating AI-driven health scams.
Wellness Nest has denied any affiliation with the deepfake content, stating they have never used AI-generated material. However, the proliferation of these deceptive videos, which often direct consumers to products not even listed on company websites, raises serious concerns about the integrity of online health information and the ease with which AI can be used to perpetrate fraud.
