The Documentary Podcast

The Facebook grifters making money off AI Holocaust victims

11 snips
Aug 27, 2025
Kevin Nguyen, a journalist from BBC Verify, dives into the disturbing world of AI-generated content targeting the sensitive narratives of Holocaust victims. He uncovers a network of social media grifters manipulating emotional stories for profit, revealing the troubling role of content farms and creators in Pakistan. The discussion highlights the ethical implications of exploiting such narratives and the challenges platforms like Meta face in combating misinformation. Nguyen's insights shed light on the dark side of digital content creation and its effects on historical memory.
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ANECDOTE

Woman Moved By Fake Holocaust Post

  • Jane commented on an AI-generated post about a girl called Miriam Gold and felt moved to share her own family history.
  • She later learnt the specific Miriam in the post never existed and felt bad for engaging with fabricated content.
INSIGHT

AI 'Slop' Erodes Trust In History

  • The episode labels these viral fakes as 'AI slop' that mimic real memorial posts and erode trust in historical records.
  • Paweł Sawicki warns such manipulation can damage trust and disrespect victims' memory.
INSIGHT

Content Farms Monetize Emotion

  • Content farms flood platforms with emotionally charged posts to maximise engagement and reach.
  • Kevin Nguyen calls AI slop an evolution of earlier schemes that prioritise eyeballs over accuracy.
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