A viral video that appears to show a kangaroo holding a boarding pass while attempting to board a commercial airplane has taken social media by storm this week. In the widely circulated clip, a woman is seen furiously arguing with a flight attendant as the kangaroo calmly harnessed and clutching what looks like a boarding pass looks on. The surreal scene sparked millions of views, thousands of memes, and a flood of emotional responses online, with many users decrying what they perceived as species-based discrimination or simply empathizing with the "sad" animal. The clip, captioned “No kangaroo on the plane,” drew comments such as “He paid for a ticket!” and “He behaves better than my kids,” reinforcing the illusion that it might be real.

But here’s the reality: the entire video is fabricated. Multiple fact-checks and online sleuths, including X’s AI assistant ‘Grok,’ have confirmed the footage is AI-generated. Despite its photorealistic details and convincing emotional setup, the video is yet another example of how artificial intelligence can blur the lines between fiction and reality. While some viewers immediately questioned its authenticity, others were stunned that they had been fooled. The incident highlights growing concerns around the viral spread of AI-generated content, particularly as it becomes harder to distinguish from real life. A recent University of Melbourne study found that 80% of Australians are worried about the negative impacts of AI, with over one-third having personally witnessed its consequences. In an age where digital deception can masquerade as viral truth, media literacy and skepticism are more important than ever.