AI-Generated Fake Doctors Spread Health Misinformation to Elderly on YouTube in South Korea

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In South Korea, over 40% of top-viewed YouTube videos on elderly health were AI-generated, with many impersonating doctors and spreading misleading health information. This misinformation risks harming elderly viewers' health. Following public concern, YouTube removed violating channels and videos, and added AI disclosure labels.[AI generated]

Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?

The event involves the use of generative AI systems to produce videos impersonating medical experts, which has directly led to harm by misleading elderly viewers with false health information. This constitutes harm to the health of a group of people (elderly viewers), fulfilling the criteria for an AI Incident. The AI system's role is pivotal as it generated the misleading content. The platform's remedial actions are responses to the incident but do not negate the occurrence of harm.[AI generated]
AI principles
Transparency & explainabilitySafety
Industries
Media, social platforms, and marketingHealthcare, drugs, and biotechnology
Affected stakeholders
General public
Harm types
Physical (injury)
AI system task:
Content generation

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