
Why Do People Believe Fake AI Political Accounts?
How viral AI accounts exploit our identities, networks, and emotions to spread misinformation
AI-Generated Influencer Sparks Debate on Digital Misinformation. A recent video by popular science communicator Hank Green has brought to light the concerning rise of artificial intelligence (AI) generated influencers on social media platforms, specifically TikTok. Green's video, uploaded on July 28, 2025, showcases an account named 'Megan Becker' (@maga.megan) which, despite garnering over 22,000 followers and posting numerous videos with strong political opinions, is revealed to be entirely fabricated by AI. Green expressed alarm at the sophistication of these AI creations, stating, 'This is an AI, these are AI videos of a cute girl in a car, and they somebody just created them and then put controversial takes on top.' The account's content, which includes posts discussing controversial political issues and figures, has generated significant engagement, including thousands of comments and likes. The revelation has sparked widespread discussion among viewers about the implications for online discourse and the spread of misinformation. Comments on Green's video reflect a mix of shock and concern. One user, 'Maga Megan 💀,' humorously acknowledged the AI's political alignment, while another stated, 'And this is just ONE of the Ai accounts that the algorithm is showing us right now. There are so many that don’t ever make it to our FYPs but are out there doing targeted damage.' Concerns about the platform's role were also voiced, with a commenter noting, 'And this is how TikTok is a dangerous tool for China.' The incident underscores a growing challenge in the digital age: distinguishing authentic human-generated content from sophisticated AI fabrications, particularly when these creations are used to disseminate politically charged or misleading information. Experts suggest that such developments necessitate urgent discussions on platform accountability and the implementation of clear AI disclosure policies.
How viral AI accounts exploit our identities, networks, and emotions to spread misinformation