Technology
Why AI-Generated Doctors on YouTube Are Targeting the Elderly
BBC · 2 hours ago · Read the Full Story on BBC
AI SUMMARY
An investigation has revealed that AI-generated doctors on YouTube are spreading medical misinformation and targeting elderly viewers who may have disposable income and free time.
- An 82-year-old woman named Celi Ferreira believed an AI-generated doctor on YouTube was real after watching a video about protecting eyesight.
- An investigation identified 29 Portuguese-language YouTube channels using AI-generated doctors that accumulated 70 million views.
- BBC News Brasil identified 50 YouTube channels across multiple languages teaching creators how to make videos using AI-generated doctors.
- Content creators specifically target elderly individuals assuming they have free time to watch videos and disposable income to buy advertised products.
- Some videos feature entirely fictional doctors, while others use the faces, voices, or identities of real doctors without permission.
- Analysis of 27,000 comments showed elderly viewers beginning unverified home remedies or stopping prescribed medications based on the fake advice.
- Popular Brazilian physician Dr. Hélio Brasileiro found his identity used without permission by at least five YouTube channels and filed a police complaint.
- Google stated that its guidelines apply to AI-generated content and prohibits harmful medical misinformation.
- Following inquiries by BBC News Brasil, YouTube removed several channels that had a combined 41 million views.
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