An Eye-Opening Observation: The Curious Nature of Fox News Commercials
This week, my two sons are enjoying some quality time with their grandparents in Florida. While I appreciate their hospitality, I’ve come to notice an interesting quirk about their television habits—particularly the relentless stream of Fox News playing as background noise throughout the day.
Recently, my youngest son, at just 10 years old, made an intriguing observation that has since sparked a larger discussion within our family. During a casual moment, he remarked to his older brother, who is 15, “These commercials look strange… almost like they were made by robots.” This comment piqued the teenager’s curiosity, leading to a FaceTime call where he expressed his agreement: “Dad, I think [my younger brother] is onto something. These Fox News ads really do look fake—like they might be generated by AI.”
Naturally, I was curious to see what they were talking about, so my son shared a recording of a few commercials. What I saw was indeed peculiar. The individuals in the ads seemed oddly lifeless; their facial movements felt unnatural, as if their expressions were superimposed onto a static face. The voices carried an over-polished tone, reminiscent of a text-to-speech program attempting to emulate human speech. The overall pacing and visuals felt disconcertingly pristine, creating a sense of manufactured trustworthiness, particularly aimed at an older demographic.
This sudden realization led me to ponder a more unsettling idea: Could this all be part of a deliberate strategy? What if Fox News—and perhaps other networks—are slowly integrating AI-generated content aimed at acclimating viewers to synthetic actors? This could normalize the presence of deepfakes in the media landscape, making it less likely for audiences to react when they encounter AI-generated politicians, spokespersons, or even breaking news segments.
Once accustomed to the uncanny, it’s easy to accept it as the norm.
In reflecting on my sons’ observations, I can’t help but feel that they have stumbled upon something noteworthy. Their comments echo a deeper concern that, once recognized, is impossible to ignore. Are others also picking up on this trend in Fox News and beyond?
For my part, I find this a crucial topic that should invite further discussion. I’ve shared this experience not only to highlight my kids’ sharpness but also to encourage readers to pay attention. If similar patterns are emerging elsewhere in our media consumption, it’s essential that we remain vigilant and discerning
