How AI Convinced World Hollywood Sign Was Burning Down in LA Fire [Video]

As wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles, California, causing loss of life and extensive property damage, speculation that the Hollywood sign also succumbed to the flames has taken the internet by storm.

The viral spread of AI-generated imagery showing the landmark ablaze has shed light on the potential for misinformation in emergencies, raising concerns about the use of the technology.

The wildfires in Los Angeles have, at the time of writing, claimed ten lives and destroyed 10,000 structures, according to officials. Huge swathes of the Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood known for its lavish celebrity pads, have been burned to the ground, sparking widespread concern. To date, more than 130,000 residents have been placed under evacuation orders.

Amid this chaos, images circulated online suggesting the Hollywood sign—a cultural symbol—was engulfed by flames. Later, these images, which gained traction on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), were determined to be AI-generated.

Fire incident mapsfrom the California Department …