He melted the hearts of millions of internet users. A baby kangaroo, patiently waiting with a boarding pass in its paw, opens its wide black eyes as its owner argues with a member of airline staff who refuses to let the animal board. The video was viewed millions of times and sparked a wave of sympathy for the animal, unjustly denied the opportunity to board its flight. Except neither the kangaroo nor its owner was real: the video was generated by artificial intelligence. Despite how realistic it looked, a few details gave it away: for instance, a ring appeared and then disappeared from the owner’s hand. Likewise, the airline’s logo didn’t exist and the conversation between the two women was in no known language.
While some sharp-eyed internet users helped “debunk” this fake kangaroo, it did spark a real debate. First, about the dangers of artificial intelligence, showing how alarmingly easy it is to mistake a fake kangaroo for a real one. But it also highlighted the issue of emotional support animals and their presence on public transportation. These animals are meant to provide comfort to people suffering from mental health disorders, phobias or depression. To be officially recognized, their therapeutic role must be certified by a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or psychologist.
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