GTA 6 faces a viral AI video problem

Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch in November 2026 (if not delayed again). However, speculation about the highly anticipated Rockstar title is at an all-time high. A new (fake) gameplay clip of GTA 6, which was reportedly shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a tipster named Zap Actu GTA6 has been claimed to be an "EXTREMELY SERIOUS SITUATION" leak. The clip went viral, securing 8 million views in just over 24 hours. According to a report by IGN, the video, which has now been deleted, is not real gameplay and is instead another example of an AI-generated fake leak. Despite a Community Note added to the post warning users about its lack of authenticity, the video continued to spread widely.All this further speaks to a broader problem: overzealous hype for the upcoming blockbuster game has led numerous users to accept fake leaks at face value. The same X account that posted this clip had also posted similar, highly viewed fake videos in recent months to gain followers and Discord members. Some social media users actually believed the now-deleted video was leaked gameplay. On the Zap Actu GTA6’s Discord account, new users joined in droves, prompting backlash from other users who asked whether the clips were actual leaks or AI-generated videos.After deleting the video, the leaker has come clean and has issued a statement on X. The tipster insisted that the videos were designed to “observe people’s reactions and to demonstrate how easy it has become in 2025 to blur the line between reality and AI-generated content.” ZapActu also apologised “to anyone who felt frustrated, disappointed, or misled by these posts.” ZapActu said they did not make any money from the posts, nor was there a financial motive behind “this experiment”, and is now in the process of deleting posts and closing accounts.“I'm sorry if I gave people false hope; I admit I didn't think things through properly. My initial goal was simply to create some hype and see if people would realise it was AI. I never imagined it would go this far. I apologise to anyone I've disappointed,” the French leaker wrote on X.In a statement to IGN, the leaker said, “It was a huge joke actually, I did it just to entertain the community. Sorry for the false hope lol.”As for GTA 6, since the game is still about 12 months away, more convincing AI-generated gameplay “leaks” are likely to appear online as fans continue waiting for official updates from Rockstar and, hopefully, trailer 3.Misleading AI-generated videos have become widespread as the technology has grown more accessible, affecting the entire entertainment industry. Public figures like physicist Brian Cox and actor Keanu Reeves have spoken out against deepfakes that misuse their likenesses, with Reeves even paying a company monthly to remove fake content.Governments are also responding. Japan recently asked OpenAI to prevent copyright violations after Sora 2 users created videos featuring copyrighted anime and game characters. Sora 2 can produce 20-second, high-quality videos with sound, and many quickly spread online. Despite Japan’s concerns, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described these AI-generated clips featuring copyrighted characters as “interactive fan fiction.”