A shocking video recently went viral on social media, allegedly showing an orca attacking its trainer. The video declares, “It’s over for Jessica Radcliffe.” However, there’s no evidence that she even exists, and the post is a messy product of AI.
TikTok channel No Filter Feed posted the orca video three days ago. In that time, the views have soared to 3.6 million with no signs of slowing down. The video has the caption “R.I.P Jessica Radcliffe” and all of the AI slop hallmarks you would expect.
You can see something is wrong from the moment you start the video. The alleged orca trainer swims in place as the animal attacks her. There are messy jump cuts, and the AI voiceover can’t decide if the trainer is a he or a she.
Several blurred parts in the still images hide obvious picture edits. Jessica Radcliffe also manages to change nationality during the video, and the clip tells the viewer to subscribe multiple times. “Jessica Radcliffe shares the video for more and does not forget to subscribe,” the AI voice proudly proclaims at the end.
It’s an obvious fake, but that hasn’t stopped it from garnering over 4k replies. Many simply read, “RIP Jessica,” which is what the AI voice demanded viewers put in the comments. One of the few skeptical comments reads, “Not confirmed, most likely pure fiction or hype. Such stories often use details from real tragedies to evoke an emotional response, but it is important to distinguish fiction from fact.”
Orca Trainer Jessica Radcliffe Likely Doesn’t Exist
It’s clear many things are wrong with the video, and a report by the International Business Times breaks a few of them down. The outlet explains that fact-checkers have searched for Radcliffe in multiple databases, including marine park employment records. They have found nobody matching that name.
The report also breaks down several specific parts of the clip, revealing they are spliced with real footage. The clip reportedly uses parts from two deaths involving orcas and their trainers. Seaworld Trainer Dawn Brancheu, who died in 2010, and Alexis Martínez, who died in a park in Tenerife in 2009.
International Business Times points out that social media platforms continue to face criticism over AI-generated content, including hoaxes. Videos debunking fake clips also typically garner less traction.