Police departments around the world are warning of the dangers of a popular social media prank artificial intelligence To simulate a home invasion.
Known online as the “homeless man prank,” the perpetrator convinces the recipient that a homeless stranger has entered their home by texting them with made-up photos of a person experiencing homelessness sitting on their couch, lying on their bed and rummaging through their kitchen cabinets.
The trend has spread across multiple platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
As it gained momentum, authorities issued warnings about the dangers of sharing false information online.
“Besides being in poor taste, there are many reasons why this prank is, frankly, stupid and potentially dangerous.” Police in Salem, Massachusetts wrote On their website this week.
“This prank dehumanizes homeless people, causes panic for the distressed recipient and wastes police resources. Police officers called to respond do not know this is a prank and treat the call as an actual robbery in progress, creating a potentially dangerous situation.”
In England, this trend has prompted some local authorities to report false burglaries.
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Poole Police posted a warning after receiving a call from a parent whose child had played a prank on them.
“Not only was it a use of valuable deployable resources that could have attended an alternative emergency, it was considered a blue light response,” the post read.
irish National Police Force,
“An Garda Síochána is aware of a popular prank circulating on social media where an artificial intelligence generated image is sent to a loved one of a home intruder,” police wrote on their website. Facebook.
“This has already led on a number of occasions to emergency police publishing an ultimately fraudulent report of a burglary.
“This represents a waste of valuable police resources and diverts attention from genuine emergency calls that require a response. There is a risk that legitimate emergency calls will not receive the urgent attention they need, posing serious safety concerns for those who need our immediate assistance.”
“We call on everyone not to engage in this prank and consider the consequences that such activity may have.”
The prank is the latest in a series of AI-induced controversies circulating online.
Earlier this week, Robin Williams’ daughter, Zelda Williamsissued a public appeal asking people to stop sending AI-generated videos showing her late father’s appearance and voice.
Zelda, 36, wrote: “Please stop sending my dad AI-powered videos.” Instagram Monday’s story.
“Stop thinking I want to see it or that I’ll understand, I don’t and I won’t. If you’re just trying to troll me, I’ve seen much worse, I’ll just buckle down and move on.”
Zelda’s comments come in the wake of controversy surrounding the introduction of an “AI actor” name. Tilly Norwood.
Norwood is a character created entirely by artificial intelligence, dubbed the first AI actress in Hollywood by her creator, producer, and comedienne Eileen van der Velden, who has expressed her intention to sign Norwood to a talent agency.
The introduction of an artificial intelligence “actor” has caused concern in the film industry.
in Tuesday statement“Creativity is, and must remain, human-centered,” the Screen Actors Guild said.
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