A humanitarian organisation set up by an Aussie influencer has admitted to using AI-generated content in videos promoting charity work in poverty-stricken regions in Africa.
Lily Jay Hinson, originally from Queensland, began building her online following when she converted to Islam after previously working as a burlesque dancer.
The 31-year-old now frequently posts emotional clips of her charity missions to her three million Instagram followers.
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Videos uploaded to her page in recent months appear to show food, aid and support being handed out to children in deprived areas of Uganda, Nepal and Sudan.
But a bombshell investigation by ABC News uncovered a “trail of apparent AI-generated content” across accounts linked to the influencer’s charity organisation — the Lily Jay Foundation.
Lily Jay Hinson has built up a huge social media following documenting her conversion to Islam. Credit: Jam Press/Lily Jay
In a now deleted clip, Ms Hinson is seen standing among a group of children who excitedly wave their hands at the camera.
“Alhamdullilah! The orphanage is now open!” she tells the camera.
However, numerous differences in the video scenes raised suspicions about its legitimacy, with the placement of the window shifting and fingers of children distorted.
Investigators found noticebale elements in Ms Hinson’s video that deemed it had been AI-generated. Credit: ABC News
In another video, she films what appears to be Gaza aid workers wearing the foundation logo and children fighting over food.
In one clip, Ms Hinson appears to stand in front of a truck that she says is on its way to deliver aid.
On the truck is a large banner featuring the foundation logo and a Palestine flag but the flag flickers over Ms Hinson’s arm as she points to it.
A spelling error on the foundation’s logo appears to show the video has been AI-generated. Credit: ABC News
In a bombshell admission, the foundation confirmed to PerthNow on Wednesday that AI had in fact been used in some of the videos.
“During the creation of a very limited number of social media marketing materials, members of our marketing team incorporated a small number of AI-generated introductory clips featuring Lily Jay,” a spokesperson said.
The humanitarian influencer previously worked as a burleque dancer before she converted to Islam. Credit: Facebook/lilyjay
“These brief introductory sequences, typically lasting only a few seconds, were used solely as opening hooks before transitioning to genuine footage of our humanitarian work.”
The foundation has also previously claimed to have built a mosque, distributed aid and provided education in several African nations, with the charity’s website encouraging people to donate to the cause.
Since the investigation, the website has taken down its donation page.
