As deadly wildfires obliterated neighbourhoods across Los Angeles, AI-generated clips of the inferno circulated in social media posts presenting them as genuine footage. In the latest case, dramatic footage of streets and hillside engulfed in flames garnered tens of thousands of views online.

First discovered: 3:20 p.m. Jan. 24 A new wildfire was reported today at 3:20 p.m. in Los Angeles County. The wildfire has been burning on private land. At this time, there is no data on the containment status of the fire and the cause has yet to be determined.

A video compilation purporting to show apocalyptic scenes in Los Angeles is generated by AI, experts said, contrary to social media posts sharing it as a genuine snapshot of the wildfires.