The fanfare that surrounded "Grand Theft Auto 6" got a surprise turn of events when the creator of a viral "leaked" gameplay video came forward to admit it was created completely via AI.
In the age of AI, even the tiniest of details can spell a difference, but digital fabrication becomes much easier. It's going to be tricky to recognize a real video from an AI-generated video from now on.
AI-Generated 'GTA 6' Clip Deceives Many Fans
The drama started when the account Zap Actu GTA6 shared what looked like a gameplay leak clip of Lucia walking in the rain. The video went viral on social media, with more than 8 million views within just 24 hours. Despite a community note warning viewers that the footage wasn't official, millions believed the clip was a legitimate leak from Rockstar Games.
IGN would later report that dozens of similar videos originating from the same account were going viral, racking up millions of impressions. Inside the Discord for Zap Actu, confusion spread as new members asked if the clips were real or AI-generated.
Creator Admits 'Leak' Was AI Experiment
Facing growing criticism, ZapActu published a public statement, disclosing the truth: all "GTA 6" viral clips were actually created with generative AI.
All they wanted to do, they said, was "observe people's reaction" and show how one could easily create plausible AI-generated content in 2025.
In their apology, ZapActu said that they did not mean to mislead the fans and had no financial motive for posting; the group had aimed only to "entertain the community." They have since deleted the videos and taken down their accounts.
They later told IGN, "It was a huge joke actually... Sorry for the false hope lol."
AI Deepfakes Continue to Complicate Trust
The GTA 6 incident isn't a one-off case. Deceptive AI-generated content has swelled across the internet. Keanu Reeves spoke out against unauthorized AI videos of himself selling products, even paying a monthly fee to get major platforms to take down impostors.
Last month, Robin Williams' daughter asked people to stop sending her AI-generated clips of her father. The comedian died in 2014.
Even Tom Cruise was a victim of an AI deepfake. Four years ago, a realistic video of the actor made rounds online. Everyone could think that it's the human actor because the AI perfectly imitated his voice and gestures.
AI video tools like OpenAI's Sora 2 have been used to create viral clips using copyrighted characters, prompting the Japanese government to request stronger protections.
