[AK View] The Age of AI Slop... A World Where Fake Becomes Real

Spread of AI-Generated Fake Nepal Flood Disaster Videos
Tragedy Exploited as a Money-Making Tool for Views
Sobering Reality: Korea Ranks First in "Slop" Content Production

A massive torrent of muddy water engulfs a village, and a strong current sweeps away a bridge. Rescue workers and residents can only stare in bewilderment at the village devastated by a flooded river. Recently, photos and videos claimed to show the "Nepal flood disaster" have been rapidly circulating on social networking services (SNS).

Fake video of Nepal flood generated by AI. Screenshot captured from SNS.

The problem, however, is that a significant portion of this content consists of images generated by artificial intelligence (AI) or old footage from past disasters, making them fake. The catastrophic flood in Nepal—with the death toll approaching 1,000 and nearly 4,000 missing—has become just another opportunity for social media users to chase views and popularity through profitable content.

While fake content was being passed off as real, authentic footage became the subject of doubts. Even CCTV footage showing the floodwaters moving from the Gyirong port in Tibet into Nepal was so difficult to verify that some international and Korean outlets questioned whether it was generated by AI. In particular, older footage, in which every movement of people, buildings, and water is real, is often even harder to distinguish from AI-generated content.

There have even been cases where fake donation QR codes were shared on SNS to pilfer relief funds for flood victims, turning the catastrophe into a money-making scheme. According to Nepal’s daily newspaper, The Kathmandu Post, fake QR codes are being circulated on SNS demanding deposits into personal bank accounts or e-wallets in the name of the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund, and some even copy the logos, names, and official forms of government agencies. Now, in addition to 'making money through views,' there are outright scams exploiting public sympathy to siphon off relief funds. In response, the Nepalese government has appealed to the media and SNS users that unverified, manipulated, or AI-generated rumors only increase the suffering of bereaved families. Authorities also expressed concern over reports that individuals and groups are posting unauthorized QR codes and personal information to solicit donations.

"Slop," a term meaning "food scraps" or "waste," was chosen by The Economist, a British weekly news magazine, as the word of the year in 2025. The advancement of generative AI has brought about a "democratization of creation" but has also resulted in the "automation of garbage production." In slop content, context, narrative, and truth are no longer requirements. Instead, the core is choosing sensational topics to win the favor of algorithms.

Even in Korea, sensational content exploiting disasters such as the Itaewon tragedy and Muan Airport incident has been rampant as a means of making money. It is disheartening that in the "AI Slop Report" published by U.S. video editing platform Kapwing in January this year, Korea was ranked number one as the country that watches, creates, and spreads the most slop content.

As disaster triggers a surge in demand for information and intensifies competition for public attention, scenes of devastation are increasingly exploited as the material for fake news and provocative content. This ultimately leads to delayed rescue efforts, inflicting a double blow on disaster victims and their families. It is worth reflecting on what value these 10-second videos really bring to us, and what kind of impact the content we create may have on others.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.