recently Posted by Users on X @classy_jesters draws attention to the surreal yet satirical portrayal of the flood in Lagos. The 19-second clip appears to show a man paddling a canoe loaded with a gorgeous car on a sunken street.
The caption reads, “Lekki's small rain, rich people can't go out to peace.”
Don't miss this: 5 ways to find videos generated in AI
Uploaded on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, the video has since received almost 1 million views, 6,300 likes and 1,500 reposts. The creators label it an AI-generated satire, but its realism can easily deceive people unfamiliar with the image of AI, especially in flood-prone areas like Lekki, which have a history of intense rain-related disruption.
The real flood problem in Lekki
Lekki's sensitivity to flooding has been the subject of growing environmental concerns. Recently, Mahmood Adegbite, the permanent secretary of the Lagos State Department of Wastewater Services and Water Resources, warned residents against indiscriminate drilling of boreholes. He warned that groundwater on the peninsula has already been contaminated with feces, poses a serious public health risk.
Comments under the video suggest that many followers understand that it is being generated, but that's half the audience. Some believed that.
@chrisilems wrote: When the streets are smiling and filled with tears, even the wealthy will feel a fever when nature intervenes.
I wrote @the_ghost_on_x as well: This is hilarious and those who parked their cars are still facing the same problem.
@thatmrt wrote: I don't think anyone who worked so hard for his money would invest it in Lekki. We will conduct appropriate investigations.
Some worried that older relatives were misunderstood. Even with labels, advanced audiences remain extremely vulnerable to AI-driven misinformation.
Also read: AI-generated video incorrectly presented as a tribute to Rihanna to diogo jota
Even with labels, advanced audiences are vulnerable
Research shows that many older people may have trouble interpreting AI labels or may not know what “AI was generated.” This is because they tend to trust visual media as authentic and may not be as digital literate as younger users. Research shows that many older people still fall under misleading or satirical content, even if it is marked.
To better protect seniors from being misled by AI-generated content, they need a platform, not just adding labels. Labels should be clearer and easier to understand, such as bold icons, simple captions, and even audio cues. Some of the more powerful measures recommended by experts include:
- Bold and visibility icons instead of small text labels
- “This video was made using computer graphics,” explains a simple, plain caption
- Audio queues that present content as AI-generated
- Target media literacy workshop for the elderly. Ideally run by people from a trusted community, such as local leaders or faith-based organizations.
Why labeling AI-generated content is important
Whether it's images or videos, AI-generated content labeling is essential for:
- Maintain transparency,
- Building Trust,
- It prevents the spread of incorrect information.
This includes using clear indicators such as tags, bylines, disclaimers, and transparent to indicate that artificial intelligence plays a role in creating or modifying content.
Major high-tech platforms employ a variety of strategies to address this. These practices are particularly important in contexts such as news, politics, and public health. Beyond technical transparency, AI labeling also contributes to digital literacy by making audiences aware of how content is created in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Veteran fact checker and researcher Fatima Quadri wrote many fact checks, explanatory and media literacy sections for FactCheckhub to combat information disorders. She can be contacted by x or sunmibola_q at fquadri@icirnigeria.org.
