💨 Abstract

Hundreds of people gathered in Birmingham's Centenary Square for a New Year's Eve fireworks display, despite police warnings that it was fake news. The event was a non-event, with only a few distant fireworks visible. The misinformation, possibly spread by AI-generated ads, led to congestion and pressure on public services. Similar incidents have occurred elsewhere, highlighting the real-world impacts of online misinformation. Police urged the public to rely on trusted sources for accurate information.

Courtesy: Josh Layton