Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The robot, which was actually developed using CGI Twitter/@M_X_M

Viral video showing scarily realistic human-looking robot debunked as fake

The video clocked up millions of views as Twitter users feared that artificial intelligence had gone too far.

A VIRAL VIDEO purporting to show a highly realistic human-looking robot walking around a driveway has been debunked as fake.

The video, which was posted over the weekend on Twitter and clocked up millions of views, caused concerns that developments in artificial intelligence would soon lead to a robot takeover.

Illusionist Derren Brown was among those to share the video, doing so in panicked a Twitter post which said: “WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE [his capitals]“.

However, technology website Gizmodo reports that the robot was created with computer graphics using a video game and animation engine called Unity.

It also revealed that a version of the same animated character also appeared in a web series created by District 9 director Neill Blomkamp and Oats Studios.

Designer Maxim Sullivan, who first uploaded the video to Twitter, later confirmed to Gizmodo that he was responsible for its creation.

Answering questions via the social media platform, he said: “I took the background footage with my phone. Put the character in post. Was just testing an HDRI [high-dynamic-range imaging] lighting setup I’d made… And it seems to have gone viral.”

In other words, if you were worried that the world was about to face a Terminator-like scenario, you can rest easy for the time being.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
21 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds