Malaysian couple travels more than 300 km to destination suggested by AI, here's what happened next

In today’s world, where artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of our lives, it’s easy to get tricked by what seems real but isn't, especially when it comes to online videos.

A Malaysian couple recently learned this the hard way after they traveled over 300 kilometers believing an AI-generated video. They only discovered that their dream vacation spot didn’t exist and was merely an AI-generated clip.

The couple had come across a video on social media showcasing an exciting cable car ride, the "Kuak Skyride," in the quiet town of Kuak Hulu.

Note: The video is an AI-generated one

Originally posted on TikTok, the video appeared to be a legitimate news story featuring a local TV anchor exploring the destination and interacting with tourists.

The video appeared complete with fabricated details and even a mock map suggesting how to navigate the location.

The video was convincing enough to prompt the elderly couple to plan a trip hundreds of kilometres away.

In the nearly three-minute clip, a journalist from the fictional "TV Rakyat" network featured the cable car ride.

The confusion came to fore when the couple checked into a hotel in Gerik, Perak, and asked a worker if she had visited the "Kuak Hulu cable car" they came across in the AI-genertaed clip.

The employee, surprised, recalled the interaction while speaking to The Straits Times. "They came to check into the hotel and asked if I had ridden the cable car at Kuak Hulu. I thought they were just kidding,” she said.