Google introduced Veo 2, a generative AI that creates lifelike videos, and the results are mildly worrying.

At best, filmmakers and others will use these tools to fill in scenes they would've used CGI for.

But, as these models become more powerful and accessible, they can easily be used to spread misinformation and employ unethical sales tactics, such as creating fake product reviews.

After Photoshop, many of us learned to trust photos with caution since they could easily be morphed. In the coming years, we will need the same level of caution and scepticism when watching videos online.

As a general rule, always do a double take.

Social media has already shrunk our attention span so much that we merely glance at hundreds of posts daily and accept them at face value without much probing.

But to be safe in this age of AI-generated content, we need to be vigilant. We need to take the time to question striking information or product reviews instead of trusting them unquestioningly.

For now, a closer look at these videos might reveal imperfections like weird hand movements or unnatural transitions that give away the artificialness of the video.

But as models become better, these gaps will close.

Therefore, in 2025 and beyond, we will need to learn to rely on trusted sources, common sense, and tools such as Sagan's standard to safely navigate the alleys of AI-based misinformation online.

I suppose the old saying, "Don't believe everything you see on the internet", has become more relevant than ever.

Now, before you move on to the rest of this newsletter issue, here are a few words from: