China’s Ministry of Public Security confirmed Friday that it had arrested a man on suspicion of using artificial intelligence to generate a fake news story claiming a mainland celebrity had lost RMB1.03 billion (US$142 million) gambling at Wynn Palace in Macau.
The story infiltrated some mainland media outlets and alleged that the celebrity had been forced to sell two villas in Beijing and Shanghai as well as his private jet to pay off his debts.
On Friday, the Ministry issued a statement confirming that the news report was fake and that it had arrested a man named Xu who was suspected of using AI-generating software to create the story. Xu is accused of doing so to generate traffic and make “illegal profits”.
The Ministry said the fake story resulted in rumors spreading quickly, triggering widespread gossip and a significant increase in online searches which had seriously disturbed the public order.
The fake news story had even seen some speculate that the celebrity in question was singer Jay Chou, forcing Chou’s representatives to issue a statement which read, “The rumor has nothing to do with Jay Chou! Please refrain from spreading false rumors.”
Xu has been sentenced to eight days of administrative detention in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
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