Editorial: Caution—YouTube AI Doctors are Presenting Themselves as Real Cardiologists

By Patti J. Ryan

A few weeks ago, I started noticing that some of the YouTube videos I was watching for pleasure, seemed “odd”. For example, one young woman standing in her kitchen giving DIY advice had an unusually quiet kitchen. No ambient sounds at all. You could see open windows behind her, but not rustling wind, no birds chirping, no electrical appliance humming. Nothing. Then, she had perfect delivery, no hesitation, no stumbled words, no pauses.

So, I suspected I was watching an AI-generated actress. That didn’t seem so bad. Just a cheap way for video producers to make videos.

Investigating AI Videos

I did start investigating the legal aspects of passing AI-generated videos off as the real thing. I was worried about the political misuse of video on Facebook, TikTok, etc. to manipulate public opinion and hate crimes.

I read about faked videos claiming to be human atrocities associated with a real war time event. I learned, that in Europe they have just passed AI production standards that require revealing this type of manipulation.

So, I hoped in the U.S. we would do the same.

AI – Dr. Eric, Cardiologist (click to go to video)

Coming Head-to-Head with AI-Generated Doctors

While researching A-Fib related YouTube videos I found a disturbing trend. I found several Artificial Intelligence-generated “doctors” presenting Atrial Fibrillation information—passing themselves off as real doctors.

The most obvious case is the video from Pensión 65+TV, with an AI doctor claiming to be a cardiologist with 32 years experience. He could not pronounce “AFIB”. Instead he spelled it out as “F-I-B”. Every time. He spelled it out.

Searching down the page I did find this under the Disclosure information:

“AI may be used for presentation purposes only and is not intended to mislead viewers. The educational information is created and reviewed using reliable medical sources.”

What shocked me the most was that there were 541 subscribers to this channel. That’s 541 viewers who are watching a fake AI-generated doctor who’s claiming to have 32 years experience!

Discovering AI Enhanced or Generated Videos

AI – Dr. Eric Bennett (click to go to channel

My odyssey all began when I found and commented on a video posted by a “Eric Bennett MD” entitled, 6 AFib Lifestyle Rules Your Doctor Never Told You. I left a comment. When I returned to the link less than a week later, I found the video had been removed.

I did notice other videos from “Eric Bennett MD“ had the same very small AI symbol under the video title and above the channel name (as did all the videos I discuss here.) I was curious if the video was still available elsewhere.

I went to Google and searched the title, and this is what I found:

Click to go to video

Let me start with the first video listed. I know that the first doctor listed is a real cardiologist. I had already checked him out, his website, and had exchanged emails with him about one of his videos.

I can tell it’s definitely him appearing on-camera, but AI-enhanced to some degree, as acknowledged by the AI symbol underneath the video title and the Disclosure statement “How this was made”. Only a few of his early videos were made with the assistance of Ai. I assume this was to reduce production costs and for efficiency. In response to my email, Dr. Yasser Rodriguez wrote me that he only used AI a few times and didn’t like it. He feels a better connection with his audience using his current production techniques.

Dr. Rodriguez has produced many pertinent A-Fib videos on YouTube. All his content is solid, well researched, with the medical research studies to back up his statements (inserting images of the research study documents on-screen and titles of the sources).

But the Others Listed…

AI DR. Miles Ebek (click to go to video)

If you notice the posting dates, the other AI doctors came 2 months after the legitimate doctor posted his video.

All YouTube videos did include the tiny AI symbol under the title and the YouTube Disclosure statement “How this was made”.

But you had to LOOK for the evidence of AI creation. On the DR. Miles Ebek channel page, for example, notice first that the name of the channel is DR. MILES and how “he” doesn’t claim to be a doctor, but a “destination” (the emphasis is mine).

Description
Welcome to DR. MILES — your trusted destination for powerful health education, wellness insights, medical awareness, and life-changing wellness tips designed to help you live smarter, healthier, and longer.

Then further down the description you will find the Disclaimer:

The content on this channel is created for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Some visuals and voice representations may be enhanced or generated using AI technology. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns.

Harvesting Content Created by Others

Crafty, how they can deceive the viewers, working just inside the current legal requirements of YouTube.

I can only assume someone out there is harvesting well-researched presentations and using the content to write their own scripts to make these fake doctor videos.

I have not researched if these AI fake doctors are showing up on Facebook or TikTok videos, etc.

A Heart-Felt Warning: You Can No Longer Trust Your Eyes or Ears

Be afraid. I am! In this age of social media, be on the alert for AI-generated videos (and audio).

Especially if they are designed to scare you, make you angry or compel you to rush to conclusions about others or controversial causes. You can no longer trust your eyes and ears.

Patti J. Ryan supports all aspects of A-Fib.com—ever watchful of too much medical jargon and when necessary translates the terminology into everyday language. She is also publisher of Beat Your A-Fib: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Cure by Steve S. Ryan, PhD (BeatYourA-Fib.com), an Amazon.com Top 100 Seller.

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