SVT newsrooms fall for AI-generated animal footage test

Three local newsrooms at the Swedish public broadcaster SVT published fake AI-generated videos of animals after receiving tips from a source named “Gustav.” The footage, which depicted a lynx in Ystad, a wolverine in Gävle, and an otter in Västerås, was part of a stress test conducted by SVT’s own documentary division.

The experiment, led by researcher and presenter Gustav Almqvist, aimed to evaluate the broadcaster’s preparedness for AI-related threats and deepfakes. The source, “Gustav,” was also a deepfake used to conduct interviews with the newsrooms.

While some editorial teams suspected errors and refrained from publishing, others released the clips before realizing the deception. SVT officials stated that the clips were removed quickly once the hoax was identified. Axel Björklund, the responsible publisher for the documentary, defended the experiment as a necessary test of internal routines and readiness to handle potential AI risks.