US EditionFans Accuse Will Smith of Using AI to Fake Crowd in Tour Promo
Fans have identified distorted faces and extra fingers in Will Smith's UK tour crowd footage, raising concerns about AI's impact on live event authenticity and fan trust.
- Will Smith posted a tour promo on YouTube last week for the UK leg of the Based on a True Story tour, and on August 25, 2025, fans accused him of using AI to generate crowd footage.
- Observers pointed to common AI artefacts such as blurry faces and oddly shaped hands, including six-finger examples, which AI-generated image research from Peking University and Tencent identifies as typical.
- One clear example shows a fan holding a sign reading 'You Can Make It helped me survive cancer' with hands blending into it, while other frames include banners like 'We <3 You Willy' and knuckles blurring into signs.
- The clip quickly went viral and fans and critics debated its authenticity while Will Smith's team remained unresponsive and some comment threads were later turned off as media outlets sought comment.
- Reports note that YouTube's AI upscaling and advances in AI video tools like Veo 3 complicate distinguishing real from synthetic content, raising creator concerns about audience trust.
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Will Smith accused of using AI to fake crowds in concert video
Will Smith is facing backlash after fans accused him of using AI to generate fake crowds in a promotional concert video, with distorted faces fueling the criticism. Experts say the clip mixes real and AI content, underscoring growing concerns about how hard it is becoming to distinguish authentic footage from computer-generated material.
Will Smith is currently on the road on his "Based on a True Story" tour. And it's actually running successfully, because all concerts are officially sold out. Nevertheless, the Hollywood star helps with a video with artificial intelligence - and causes indignation with his fans.
Today In "AI Stinks"- Will Smith Is Allegedly Using AI To Generate Crowd Videos, And YouTube Has Gone Rogue Applying AI To Videos Without Asking
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