🧠 AI Identity Theft — Harvard Scientist Warns of Impostor Videos and Launches Official Channel

NewBits Media
Jan 26
2 min read

NewBits Digest feature image for article on AI identity theft, highlighting Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb’s warning about AI impersonation videos and his plan to launch a verified channel to fight fakes.

Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb says fake AI-generated videos impersonating him have spread widely online — convincing viewers and prompting urgent action to protect scientific credibility.

In a new essay, Loeb described the past two months of battling fabricated clips that falsely portrayed him discussing interstellar signals — including a fake claim that “passengers from 3I/ATLAS” sent a message — sometimes contradicting his real research and published writing.

One personal encounter pushed him to act: after a visitor shared how she had been misled by a convincing AI video of him, Loeb decided to create an official YouTube channel to host only verified content — and to request takedowns of impostor videos.

🔍 What Happened With AI Identity Theft

🎥 Fake Videos Went Viral

YouTube clips used AI to mimic Loeb’s voice and appearance, presenting fabricated claims about space discoveries and alleged signals.

📩 Fans Sounded the Alarm

Thousands emailed him pointing out inconsistencies — including background clocks that never moved and statements clashing with his daily essays.

🚨 A Threat to Scientific Integrity

Loeb likened the spread of AI-driven misinformation to AI identity theft, arguing it undermines trust at the core of science.

📺 New Official Channel Coming

He announced plans to launch a verified YouTube channel to distribute approved videos and combat impersonation.

🤖 A Balanced View of AI

Loeb emphasized that AI itself isn’t the enemy — but warned its misuse can distort truth just as easily as it can advance knowledge.

⭐ Why It’s Important

As generative AI becomes more realistic, cases like this highlight a growing challenge: protecting public trust in experts, evidence, and authentic voices.

Loeb’s experience shows how easily sophisticated fakes can spread — and why researchers, platforms, and audiences alike will need new safeguards to verify what’s real in an AI-driven media world.

His response — transparency, official channels, and accountability — may become a blueprint for how public figures defend credibility in the age of synthetic media.

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