Virat Kohli, currently enjoying a break with his family in London, has unexpectedly found himself at the center of a social media storm. A video of the cricket superstar has gone viral, but there’s a twist—it’s not real. The video shows Kohli making controversial statements about fellow cricketer Shubman Gill, but the catch is that it’s been generated using AI, or Artificial Intelligence.
The AI-Generated Video
In the video, Kohli is seen and heard saying that while Shubman Gill is a good batsman, he will never be able to match Kohli’s achievements. The AI technology used in the video is so advanced that it replicates not just Kohli’s voice but also his lip movements, making it difficult to distinguish the fake from reality at first glance.
Kohli appears to say, “When I returned from Australia, I realized what it takes to succeed in international cricket. Shubman Gill is talented, but there’s a huge difference between being a good player and becoming a legend. People are calling Gill the next Virat Kohli, but let me be clear—there’s only one Virat Kohli.”
The Reality Check
This video, despite its convincing appearance, is entirely fabricated. In reality, Virat Kohli has been supportive of Shubman Gill, even praising him as India’s next big star before the 2023 World Test Championship. This stark contrast between the actual and the AI-generated content highlights the potential dangers of AI in spreading misinformation.
The Implications of AI in Social Media
The incident underscores how AI technology, while groundbreaking, can also be misused to create misleading content. With the ability to alter voices and facial expressions, AI-generated videos can easily spark unnecessary controversies, especially when they involve public figures like Virat Kohli.
As AI technology becomes more accessible, it’s essential for users to verify the authenticity of the content they encounter online, particularly when it involves sensational claims or high-profile personalities.
