In a surprising yet troubling development, a Pakistan-based artificial intelligence-powered website was identified as the source of a fake Halloween parade announcement in Dublin. This led to thousands gathering for a non-existent event.
The publication referenced a report from the United States news agency Vice, which detailed that numerous individuals in various costumes assembled on a major road in Dublin for the anticipated parade.
As time passed, those who gathered for the parade waited indefinitely for it to begin. The crowd blocked surrounding roads, prompting police intervention to disperse the attendees.
Police later clarified that no parade had been scheduled in Dublin, catching those assembled by surprise.
US media outlets have identified the source of the hoax as “My Spirit Halloween,” a website hosted in Pakistan. It falsely advertised that the Halloween Day Parade would take place on Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.
While the motive behind the website’s false announcement remains unclear, speculation suggests that the website’s goal might have been to generate advertisement revenue.
