Police have shared a fake video of the Eric Morecambe Statue dancing as part of a drive to warn people about being tricked by AI-generated clips.
The post 'He's bringing sunshine...and some new dance moves!' on the Morecambe Area Police Facebook page shows the iconic landmark 'coming to life' for a dance in its location near the Promenade.
"Has the Eric Morecambe statue sprung to life on the seafront?" it asks.
"Not quite. This video was created using AI.
"As AI-generated content becomes more convincing, it is becoming harder to tell fact from fiction online.
"Before you share, take a moment to stop, think and check."
The warning is part of a Lancashire Police campaign which comes as the popularity of images and video content generated through Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to rise.
'Fake or Real? Know the Deal' is Lancashire Police’s response to prevent harm by increasing awareness and understanding of AI-generated threats (including deepfakes) among young people, parents and communities.
"Deepfakes can be funny, creative and even useful... but they can also be used to trick people," says the Lancashire Police website.
"Not everything you see online is real, even if it looks and sounds convincing.
"A deepfake is an image, video or audio clip that has been created or changed using artificial intelligence (AI) to make it look or sound real.
"AI can be used in positive ways, from helping us learn new skills to making content more accessible. However, it can also be misused to create convincing fake content, including harmful or sexualised images.
"Deepfakes can be used to spread misinformation, scam or deceive people, bully or embarrass others, damage reputations, create harmful or sexualised images
"As technology advances it’s becoming harder to tell what’s real and what’s fake. Sometimes we can guess something is fake because it doesn’t match how the person usually acts or looks.
"Talking to your child about deepfakes can help them stay safe online. Encourage them to question what they see online
"Check information from trusted sources. Speak to a trusted adult if something doesn't feel right. Never share harmful images or videos."
"Discovering that a deepfake image of your child is being shared can be distressing, especially if that image is of a private or intimate nature.
"Lancashire Police have specially trained officers who investigate online offences involving children and support families through the reporting process.
"It's important that if you discover an image, you believe shows child sexual abuse fake or real, do not screenshot or share it. Keep the original and report it to the police.
"Sharing an image of this kind even if it's to ask for help, could be illegal. Save it and report. We will investigate, help get the image removed, and seek to stop those causing harm.
"You can also request images to be removed.
"If you're concerned about a deepfake, need advice, or want to report harmful content, report it HERE.
"Find out more about recognising and reporting deepfakes and how to keep children safe online HERE.
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