Thousands of Halloween enthusiasts in Dublin found themselves at a non-existent event last night after a fictional Halloween parade announcement went viral. Promoted by a website named My Spirit Halloween a website based in Pakistan but claiming ties to Illinois., which generates AI-based news, the false announcement led revelers to gather along a planned parade route from Parnell Square to Temple Bar.
The fake parade announced early on October 31, specified that the event would commence at 7 p.m., complete with details suggesting a large-scale production by the well-known Galway arts ensemble Macnas. Through effective SEO and social media algorithms, the fictitious parade spread widely, eventually catching the attention of TikTok users who amplified the false announcement.
As costumed Dubliners gathered, the Gardaí, Ireland’s police force, quickly realized that no official parade had been scheduled. In response, the Gardaí on social media urged those gathered to disperse.
“Please be advised that contrary to information being circulated online, no Halloween parade is scheduled to take place in Dublin City Centre this evening or tonight.”
The statement also directed the crowd on O’Connell Street to leave the area safely. The unexpected turnout disrupted Dublin’s Luas tram network, forcing both the Red and Green lines out of service for nearly half an hour.
Despite the humorous nature of the incident for many Dubliners, this mishap underlines a more serious concern: the power of misinformation and AI-generated content to influence real-life actions on a massive scale. AI-generated content sites like My Spirit Halloween, which did not indicate that its news was fictional, pose a potential risk for misinformation spreading unchecked, especially when picked up by social media.