When prophets of doom predicted ways in which artificial intelligence would take over humanity by 2025, their visions were more dramatic than the sigh

Thousands duped by hoax firework display ‘created by AI’

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2025-01-01 17:00:03

When prophets of doom predicted ways in which artificial intelligence would take over humanity by 2025, their visions were more dramatic than the sight of chilly revellers waiting in central Birmingham for a hoax firework display.

Yet that is how thousands of people brought in the new year after being lured by what appeared to be AI-generated news articles for a “spectacular midnight show” that never materialised.

West Midlands police had tried to tell residents earlier in the day that no event was planned, but that did not stop crowds of expectant would-be spectators wrapped up against the cold from gathering in Centenary Square from 10.30pm.

One witness said attendees, including families with children, were “packed like sardines” and it “wouldn’t have taken much for something to spark to cause panic and a crush”.

Rumours about the event appear to have been spread by a number of blog posts, including one rounding up “The UK’s Top New Year’s Eve Fireworks Displays to Ring in 2025”.