Vietnam – Author Carlo Carrasco

Be Able To Spot AI-generated Images Online And Avoid Deception

February 1, 2026January 26, 2026carlocarrasco

Last December, I blogged about the fact that images generated by artificial intelligence (AI) online are deceiving viewers and make it challenging for people to tell what is real and fake. AI tools are being used every day for quick researching, creating videos, creating voiceovers, creating artworks and making photo-realistic images of humans randomly.

The widespread use of AI on visuals is fooling people. That said, there is a need to prepare ourselves by spotting images online that are AI-generated so that the deception can be halted. I found a useful technology guide published by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VnExpress technology guide. Some parts in boldface…

Experts recommend checking watermarks and metadata, running reverse image searches, assessing image quality, and spotting visual inconsistencies to identify AI-generated images online.

Look for watermarks – Many AI-generated images include visible watermarks, often placed in a corner. Others contain invisible identifiers embedded in the image data. Google, for example, uses its SynthID system to insert hidden watermarks into images created by its Gemini model. Users can upload an image to Gemini on the web and ask whether it was made by AI, allowing the system to detect the SynthID marker if present.

Reverse image search – Reverse image searches can quickly reveal whether an image has been flagged as AI-generated. By right-clicking an image and selecting “Search with Google Lens,” users may see warnings in search results. Google and OpenAI have begun embedding metadata into AI-generated images, which can appear as labels during image searches, according to Android Authority.

Another labeling system is developed by the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, supported by companies including OpenAI, Adobe, and Google. Websites such as Content Credentials allow users to upload images for analysis to check for evidence of AI creation. While these checks do not guarantee authenticity, they can identify many AI-generated images and, in some cases, indicate which model produced them.

Check image quality – Image specifications can also be revealing. Tech site PCMag notes that AI-generated images are usually compressed and produced at relatively low resolutions. High-resolution images with minimal compression, particularly RAW files, are unlikely to be AI-generated. By contrast, low-quality JPEG files, such as those at 720p resolution, fall within the typical output range of AI image generators.

Look beyond the main subject – AI can often produce a convincing main subject, but background details tend to expose weaknesses. According to Popular Science, AI-generated scenes may include logical errors such as staircases leading nowhere, misplaced architectural features, or doors that do not connect to functional spaces. These inconsistencies occur because AI systems imitate visual patterns rather than understand real-world physics and spatial logic.

Text remains one of the clearest indicators of AI-generated imagery. Printed or handwritten words are often blurry, distorted, or nonsensical. Letters may appear readable at a glance but break down under closer inspection. Images containing large amounts of clear, consistently rendered text are less likely to be AI-generated.

For added insight, watch the videos posted below and pay close attention to the details.

Finally, take a look at the AI-generated image below.

Can you recognize the man and the woman in this AI-generated image? Do you think AI is becoming more proficient on capturing human likeness and facial features? Do you consider AI-generated art legitimate pieces of art?

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the widespread use of AI on making videos, still images and artworks that have been scattering online? Are you concerned that the more AI is abused on making images, the more people will get fooled? Are you pro-active in determining if the image or video you see online is real or fake? Are you concerned that AI tools will be used for identity theft and criminal activities?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Thailand Sets Ambitious Tourism Targets For 2026

January 25, 2026January 20, 2026carlocarrasco

Thailand, the 2^nd most visited nation of Southeast Asia in 2025, has set ambitious tourism targets for itself for 2026 and it includes achieving US$95 billion in tourism revenue, according to a VnExpress news release. Thailand attracted over thirty million international arrivals last year which was actually a decline of more than 7% compared to 2024.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has expressed confidence that the country’s tourism sector will earn 3 trillion THB (US$95.35 billion) in revenue this year through its “Amazing 5 Economy” strategy.

The plan targets an 11% increase in international visitors, enhanced domestic tourism, and a focus on sustainable, high-quality growth despite global challenges.

TAT aims for 36.7 million international arrivals and about 210 million domestic trips in 2026. Meanwhile, the revenue target includes 2 trillion THB from international markets, with an expected 11% increase in international tourist arrivals, and 1 trillion THB from domestic tourism, projected to grow by 4%, said TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool.

In 2026, TAT plans to reignite quality tourism growth by addressing challenges such as geopolitical tensions, increasing global competition, and domestic factors like the strong baht, household debt, safety concerns, and natural disasters. The key to success lies in the “Amazing 5 Economy” framework, which includes life economy, sub-culture economy, night economy, circular economy, and platform economy.

In 2025, Thailand recorded total tourism revenue of approximately 2.7 trillion THB. International arrivals reached 32.97 million, down 7.23% year-on-year.

It saw declines in short-haul markets such as Malaysia and China. However, long-haul markets showed strong momentum, with visitors from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa reaching a record 10.8 million.

Notably, arrivals from the U.K. and the U.S. each surpassed one million for the first time. Domestic tourism also expanded, with more than 202 million trips, up 2.7%.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever toured Thailand before? If you did, how long did you stay in Thailand and how was your overall travel experience there? Do you think Thailand will be to achieve its ambitious tourism targets this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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A Lot More American Fruits And Vegetables Imported By Vietnam In 2025

January 23, 2026January 22, 2026carlocarrasco

Vietnam, a nation previously ravaged by war which eventually emerged as a major tourism destination in Southeast Asia, imported a lot more fruits and vegetables from the United States of America resulting in a jump of 67% to US$900 million, according to a news report by VnExpress. Vietnam’s exports to America, however, were not too great which resulted in a trade surplus of more than $350 million for America on fruits and vegetables.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VnExpress news report. Some parts in boldface…

U.S. fruits and vegetables are pouring into Vietnam, with 2025 imports rising by nearly 67% to US$900 million, but Vietnamese exports to the U.S. are not keeping pace.

This marked a 10-fold jump in imports from the U.S. from a decade ago, with cherries, apples, grapes, and oranges being among the top fruits bought, according to Vietnam Customs.

Vietnam’s vegetable and fruit exports to the U.S. were worth $546 million last year, a minuscule 1.49% share in a market is dominated by suppliers such as Mexico, Canada and South American countries.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said the U.S. is a very large market but also one marked by stringent technical standards and also long geographical distance for Vietnam.

Vietnam’s position as the 13 largest fruit and vegetable supplier to the U.S. is owed to the great efforts made by businesses in recent years, he added.

There is room for growth as the list of fresh fruits permitted for export to the U.S. continues to expand, and now includes pomelo, mango, dragon fruit, longan, lychee, star apple, rambutan and, most recently, coconut.

Consumer trends in the U.S. are shifting toward novel fruits, health-oriented products and more deeply processed items such as frozen fruit, dried fruits and juices, with Vietnamese products like coconut, durian and pomelo becoming increasingly popular.

But exports do face many challenges. Starting this month the U.S. began tightening regulations on traceability and food safety, particularly with respect to pesticide residues.

Vietnamese oversight of planting area codes and packing facilities remains uneven, which threatens to bring warnings or even temporary import suspensions by the U.S.

The high logistics costs due to the distance make it difficult for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to compete on price with suppliers close to the U.S. such as in Mexico, Peru or Thailand.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you consider Vietnam’s heavy importing of American fruits and vegetables in 2025 big economic victories for Trump’s America? What do you think is the main reason as to why Vietnam purchases so much fruits and vegetables from the United States? Do you think Trump’s tariffs are already helping American producers of fruits and vegetables?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Varied And Impactful Changes Realized Since Trump Returned As US President

January 22, 2026January 21, 2026carlocarrasco

A year ago, Donald J. Trump returned as President of the United States and a wide series of changes were realized since January 20 of 2025. Those changes are still happening and it is very clear Trump’s America made impact not only on Americans but also on the world. Trump is on his 2^nd term as President and he has three years remaining.

As such, the White House issued a statement titled “365 WINS IN 365 DAYS: President Trump’s Return Marks New Era of Success, Prosperity” which contains a very extensive list of changes and developments since January 20 of 2025. The statement contains an extensive list of developments covering a wide series of categories such as economics, immigration, national security, border security, jobs, income, international relations and more.

Clearly, I cannot highlight all the items from the White House statement in this blog post. What I can share with you are the items that caught my attention.

To put things in perspective, posted below are excerpts from the White House statement. Some parts in boldface…

Item #1 – Achieved negative net migration in 2025, reversing a 50-year trend and restoring U.S. control over immigration flows for the first time in a generation.

Item #2 – Removed more than 2.6 million illegal aliens from the United States through deportations and voluntary self-departures.

Item #3 – Carried out over 650,000 arrests, detentions, and deportations of illegal aliens — including the worst of the worst criminal illegal alien killers, rapists, gang members, and repeat offenders.

Item #17 – Revoked visas tied to pro-Hamas agitators on college campuses, restoring safety, free speech, and American values to universities across the nation.

Item #28 – Rescued 62,000 missing migrant children from trafficking, forced labor, and exploitation networks tied to illegal migration — most of whom were lost during the Biden Administration.

Item #31 – Revoked Temporary Protected Status for over 500,000 migrants — a decision upheld by the Supreme Court.

Item #53 – Delivered the largest one-year decline in homicides in U.S. history by launching targeted federal crime crackdowns and ending Biden-era non-enforcement.

Item #69 – Created 654,000 private-sector jobs following deregulation, tax relief, and restored investment confidence.

Item #70 – Ensured 100% of net job growth went to native-born Americans by enforcing immigration laws.

Item #71 – Achieved massive economic growth, with real GDP rising 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025 — smashing economists’ expectations and setting the stage for future growth, with GDP projected to be even higher in the fourth quarter as President Trump’s policies continue to take effect.

Item #79 – Signed the Working Families Tax Cut, delivering the largest middle-class tax relief package in modern U.S. history and saving 5.9 million jobs.

Item #80 – Delivered on his No Tax on Tips campaign promise.

Item #106 – Secured new and improved trade agreements with major U.S. trading partners covering more than half of global GDP — including the United Kingdom, European Union, Japan, China, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Israel, Switzerland, the Philippines, and Cambodia.

Item #107 – Sent tariff revenues soaring, collecting $300 billion under expanded enforcement and new policies.

Item #108 – Reduced the trade deficit to its lowest since 2009.

Item #141 – Ended the Israel–Hamas war by imposing a ceasefire framework, securing the release of hostages, and enacting a landmark Gaza Peace Plan to unleash total security and prosperity for all in the region.

Item #144 – Brokered peace between India and Pakistan.

Item #145 – Brokered peace between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

Item #151 – Destroyed Iran’s nuclear weapons capability through coordinated military action, sanctions escalation, and intelligence operations.

Item #161 – Secured the capture of long-wanted narcoterrorist Nicolás Maduro, paving the way for his prosecution in the U.S.

Item #229 – Rolled out new merit-based federal hiring plans, ensuring the government’s hiring decisions are based on merit only — including at the Federal Aviation Administration, where the Biden Administration specifically recruited individuals with intellectual disabilities and psychiatric issues.

Item #313 – Established the Make America Healthy Again Commission tasked with investigating and addressing the root causes of America’s escalating health crisis — with an initial focus on childhood chronic diseases.

The selected items shared above are only a portion of the extensive list of the White House statement. Still, it give you an idea as to how vast the Trump administration’s initiatives really are. Truly, America is back and we should observe what else could President Trump and his team do over the next three years.

To see the full statement and list, click https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/01/365-wins-in-365-days-president-trumps-return-marks-new-era-of-success-prosperity/

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Among the many initiatives Trump launched since January 20, 2025, how were you affected? Do you think the international community is respecting America more under the leadership of President Trump? Do you think the US economy is taking off towards a new economic boom? Do you think Trump’s America should start striking the terrorist state of Iran to bring down the Islamic regime once and for all?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Attracts All-Time High 21.2 Million Foreign Tourist Arrivals In 2025

January 10, 2026January 6, 2026carlocarrasco

Vietnam, a nation ravaged by war decades ago, has emerged as a major tourism magnet in both Southeast Asia and Asia as a whole after successfully attracting more than twenty-one million foreign tourists in 2025, according to a VnExpress International news report. The figure is a new all-time high. What Vietnam achieved was more than 20% higher than its 2024 foreign tourist numbers. For 2026, Vietnam is aiming high with a target of 25 million foreign visitors.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed a record number of foreign tourists in 2025 with 21.2 million, up 20.4% from the previous year and the highest ever, according to General Statistics Office.

Mainland China was Vietnam’s biggest source of visitors last year with 5.2 million arrivals, up 41% year-on-year, followed by South Korea with 4.3 million and Taiwan with 1.23 million.

The U.S. ranked fourth with 848,000, followed by Japan with 814,000. The rest of the top 10 were India (746,000), Russia (689,000), Cambodia (687,000), Malaysia (573,000) and Australia (548,000).

Tourism industry insiders attributed Vietnam’s strong performance to visa reforms.

*Foreign tourists welcomed in Vietnam. (photo credit: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism)*

In March the government decided to extend visa exemptions until 2028 for citizens of 12 countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K.

In August it waived visa requirements for stays of up to 45 days for citizens of 12 more countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

This expanded the unilateral visa waiver list to 24 countries and the total number including bilateral waivers to 39.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering the strong international tourism momentum it has right now, do you think Vietnam will succeed in attracting 25 million foreign tourists this year? Do you think a lot more visitors from Europe will come to Vietnam this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines Behind Many Southeast Asian Neighbors On International Tourism

January 3, 2026December 29, 2025carlocarrasco

With 2025 already behind us, one has to wonder how the Philippines performed when it comes to attracting foreign tourists and as of this writing, the final statistics have yet to be announced by the government. What is clear is that the Philippines really slumped on international tourism last year and the nation is behind many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, according to a recent news article by VnExpress International.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the VnExpress International. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam and Malaysia are rising tourism stars in Southeast Asia thanks to relaxed visa policies and improving infrastructure while Thailand has lost its lead due to border clashes and safety concerns.

Vietnam received its 20th millionth foreign visitor in a year for the first time at the Phu Quoc International Airport on Dec. 15, marking a milestone for its tourism sector. The full-year is expected to exceed 21 million, surpassing the previous record of 18 million achieved in 2019 before Covid.

With its 21% growth rate this year, Vietnam is regarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organization as one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.

Malaysia attracted 28.2 million tourists in the first eight months of this year, a 14.5% increase year-on-year.

The industry will be supported by stronger Chinese tourist arrivals, improving flight connectivity and the government’s ambitious “Visit Malaysia 2026” campaign, according to HSBC Global Research.

“Malaysia is on track to easily exceed its 2025 tourism target of 31.4 million tourists, making it one of the few ASEAN economies to achieve its target.

“We estimate the number of tourists is likely to exceed 40 million.”

This year, both countries have strived to ease visa polices, enhance promotion campaigns and improve airport infrastructure.

Indonesia and Laos have also seen increasing tourist numbers.

Indonesia received over 12.76 million foreign visitors in the first 10 months, a 10% increase, with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and India being the leading source markets. Laos received 3.8 million, a 13% increase.

Challenging year for Thailand, Cambodia – Once a tourism powerhouse in Southeast Asia, Thailand has struggled with setback after setback this year.

The crisis began in January as many Chinese tourists canceled their trips to the country following the high-profile abduction of Chinese actor Xing Xing.

Two months later a deadly earthquake in Myanmar that sent tremors across Bangkok caused widespread damage to the tourism industry.

Escalating military clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border also triggered a surge in cancellations across provinces near the fighting. Some countries warned their citizens to postpone traveling to Thailand.

Arrivals as of early December declined by 7% to 30 million. Thailand had received 40 million tourists in 2019 and 35 million last year.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s reputation took a beating in the eyes of South Koreans due to online scams and the disappearance of hundreds of their fellow citizens who entered that country.

The South Korean government has issued warnings to its citizens to cancel or postpone non-essential travel to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh and areas like Sihanoukville and Bokor Mountain.

Cambodia attracted only 4.75 million tourists in January-October, a decrease of 11.6%.

The Philippines received 4.7 million foreign visitors in the first 11 months of the year, a 3.02% decline due to significantly lower arrivals from South Korea and China.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines still has a lot of problems to solve regarding infrastructure, tourism promotions and domestic travel costs before it could become competitive with its Southeast Asian neighbors? If ever the Philippines fails to hit its 2025 foreign tourist arrivals target, do you think the Department of Tourism (DOT) will once again point to tourism revenues as a barometer for success? With its current standing on international tourism, do you consider the 2023-2028 National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) of the Philippines a failure already?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Foreign Resident Population In South Korea Reaches New All-Time High

December 30, 2025December 22, 2025carlocarrasco

Have you ever thought about entering South Korea with employment and residency in mind? The economic giant of Asia saw its foreign resident population reach a new all-time high and it has something to do with the arrival of young migrants and foreign students, according to a news report by VnExpress. Not only that, Vietnam’s own people in South Korea got counted as a fast-growing demographic.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

South Korea has reached a new demographic milestone with its foreign resident population hitting an all-time high, a trend fueled largely by an influx of young migrants and international students, particularly from Vietnam.

As of May, the number of foreign residents aged 15 and older stood at approximately 1.69 million, representing an 8.4 % increase compared to the same period last year, according to a survey by the Ministry of Data and Statistics. This shift comes against the backdrop of a total national population of roughly 51.8 million.

While ethnic Koreans from China continue to comprise the largest foreign resident group at 506,000, Vietnamese nationals have emerged as the fastest-growing demographic. Vietnamese residents now rank second with a population of 270,000, expanding much more rapidly than any other major group.

A major portion of this growth is driven by the education sector, according to the Korea Times.

The overall number of student visa holders rose by 18.2%, or 36,000 people, in just one year. Data highlights the prominence of the Vietnamese community within this sphere, as Vietnam currently ranks first with approximately 100,000 students in South Korea, followed by China with 45,000 and Uzbekistan with 17,000.

The rise in international students, attributed to the global appeal of Korean culture and government initiatives, is reshaping the visa landscape.

While ethnic Korean visas (F-4) and low-skilled worker visas (E-9) still account for the largest raw numbers at 410,000 and 321,000 respectively, professional visa categories are seeing sharp increases. The number of professional workers jumped 25.7% to 82,000, while the population of workers holding permanent residence visas grew by 17.1% to 123,000.

The report also identifies a shifting mindset among these new arrivals, noting a growing preference for long-term settlement over short-term employment.

Among those without permanent residency status, more than 89 % expressed a desire to remain in South Korea. This sentiment is strong among the student population as well, with 65.5 % stating they plan to continue living in the country after graduation, citing high satisfaction with the quality of education and academic programs.

The surge in migration has had a tangible impact on the labor market. More than 1.1 million foreign residents were employed as of May, marking a 9.8% year-on-year rise, the highest employment level recorded since the ministry began collecting such data in 2017, Yonhap reported.

The employment rate among foreign residents reached 65.5%, up 0.8 percentage points from the previous year.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think South Korea can benefit economically and socially from the growing foreign resident population? Do you think time will come when foreign residents will eventually displace South Korea’s citizens on employment, local communities and business? Do you know anyone who wants to study in South Korea or enter the country as a foreign investor? Do you think South Korea has secured itself from human trafficking?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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AI-Generated Images Continue To Deceive People

December 9, 2025December 2, 2025carlocarrasco

Images created with artificial intelligence (AI) applications that got shared on social media continue to fool people. It is unfortunate because AI is so accessible through apps and online, people can use them and create fake stuff that easily capture people’s attention.

For starters, look what happened in Japan when someone used generative AI to create a fake image about a bear on a road, shared it online and scared the local community. This was during the time when bear attacks in Japan increased.

Recently, deception caused by AI-generated imagery took its toll in parts of Southeast Asia. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the technology article of VnExpress.net. Some parts in boldface…

When Thu saw a viral video purportedly showing a woman and her grandchild trapped in floodwaters in central Vietnam, she almost shared it until some things made her pause.

Thanh Thu first encountered an AI hoax last month when she believed a photo showing dozens of people clinging to rooftops during flooding in Thai Nguyen Province in the north was real. The grainy quality made the picture convincing at first glance.

“But on closer look, it made no sense as multiple helicopters were hovering just above the water yet not rescuing anyone,” she says

That experience made her more cautious. So when she saw the new flooding video, she examined it again and noticed the grandmother’s face was blurred and distorted, while nearby people appeared calm, chatting casually with water only reaching their knees.

“The footage was heart-breaking at first and gave me a strong urge to share it, but I realized in time that it was AI-generated just to attract views,” the 28-year-old in HCMC says.

In recent months, her social media feeds have been filled with photos of friends posing in destinations around the world, their faces retouched to look like models. But when she noticed that photos from various friends had identical settings, with only their faces changed, she realized the images were AI-generated.

In Hanoi, Hoang Viet, 27, has also been fooled by AI-generated content. A nature enthusiast, he once spent more than an hour watching a TikTok video about a supposed “rainbow mushroom” and even took notes for research. “Later I did more research and asked experts only to find out the species does not exist at all,” he says.

He recalls being frightened by clips of “sea monsters revived” or wild animals jumping on trampolines, all low-quality videos resembling security footage but drawing tens of millions of views. “All of them were fake.” After these experiences, he now cross-checks any information using reliable news sources or academic materials before accepting it as true.

The rise of tools such as OpenAI’s Sora, Google’s Veo 3 and Runway this year has caused a surge in AI-generated images and videos, from staged travel photos to recreated images with deceased relatives.

According to digital transformation expert Dr. Dinh Ngoc Son, AI-generated content is designed to exploit emotions and curiosity. “Sensational or unusual information always spreads faster,” he says. “As AI improves realism, the spread becomes stronger, creating an emotional whirlwind that is difficult to control.”

He says authenticity and digital ethics have become major challenges. As generative AI advances, the line between real and fake is becoming increasingly thin. He cites fabricated flood rescue clips and deepfake news anchors as examples.

In July Malaysian newspaper The Star reported that a couple in Kuala Lumpur drove 300 kilometers to a tourist destination only to find it did not exist and had been entirely produced by AI. “When users share such content without verification, it distorts public perception and undermines trustworthy information platforms,” Son says.

Cybersecurity specialist Ngo Minh Hieu, known as Hieu PC, says many people unknowingly expose personal data by uploading their photos to AI-powered editing apps. “With just a smartphone, anyone can create AI products,” the founder of the “Anti-Scam” project says. “While many use them for fun, scammers increasingly exploit them to deceive those who are less tech-savvy.”

At a national seminar on online fraud prevention in late October, Deputy Minister of Public Security Pham The Tung warned that criminals are taking advantage of AI and deepfake technologies to defraud citizens. On Oct. 28 anti-scam platform Chongluadao.vn issued a new alert about fraudsters using AI to manipulate e-commerce livestreams.

They take real sales videos, modify the sellers’ appearances to look physically disabled or ill, and re-upload them to solicit purchases from sympathizers. Scammers also create dozens of fake accounts to leave emotional comments, leveraging the bandwagon effect to deceive more viewers.

As someone who once bought products on livestreams of disabled people out of sympathy, Thu says the AI scam leaves her increasingly bewildered. “Now, when even images of those people can be faked, I do not know what to believe.”

To combat AI-driven misinformation, Son says joint action is needed from individuals, society and authorities. Individuals must improve their fact-checking skills, while the journalism and education industries should strengthen digital media literacy, he says.

Very clearly, AI has no soul and AI applications are being used for the wrong and irresponsible reasons. Not only are there tech users who use AI to make images or videos to grab people’s attention, there are criminals, fraudsters and scammers who use AI to steal money or information. This should remind you that technology can be abused a lot and affect people negatively.

*An example of AI-generated imagery. (credit to VnExpress.net)*

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you able to tell if a video you saw is generated by AI? Do you think a lot of people are abusing AI to grab people’s attention and increase their social media followers? Is your local government unit using AI through public services? Do you know anyone who became a victim of scammers who used AI?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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IAEA Director General Says Philippines Is At The Right Moment For Push To Nuclear Energy

December 3, 2025November 26, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited the Philippines, met with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., and revealed to the press that the nation is at the right moment to start the push for nuclear energy, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines is at the “right moment” to begin pushing for nuclear energy use amid its aim to achieve energy security and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels like coal, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi made this remark during the International High Level Forum on Nuclear Technology (NUTEC) Plastics in Pasay City on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

He underscored that the Philippines is not new to nuclear power.

“Let’s go a little bit back in history. Your country was a pioneer long, long, long before any other countries in this region and in the world were looking at nuclear energy. But the reality is that I like to say that the Philippines is not a newcomer, it’s a revisiting country,” he said in a press conference.

“It’s a country that is reviewing, taking into account its technological capacities, what was being done here in the late 70s, early 80s, and considering that it is perhaps the right moment, as many other countries in the world, to avail itself of a notion of a clean energy that is providing solutions in many parts of the world. Why not here?,” he added.

The Philippines, during the time of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., once attempted to build a nuclear power plant in Bataan. While it was completed, it was never operated because of safety concerns, political issues, and corruption allegations.

Grossi said that what the Philippines is doing today with its nuclear energy push is “extremely important,” adding that small- or big-sized nuclear projects are significant and require initial capital investment.

He also noted that banks and international financial institutions in the past have turned their backs on nuclear power plants because of their “bad image.”

“But with passage of time and the safety record of nuclear and the ability to demonstrate by the industry that banks are a conservative, of course, in what they finance, there has been an important change which was initiated earlier this year when I signed with the president of the World Bank a similar agreement,” he shared.

“So, when the World Bank sent this, you know how it happens in the economy in general, when they sign from the leading institutions, the leading financing institutions in the world that there is no problem, basically, there is really no problem, no technical problem, no fundamental problem in financing nuclear,” he added.

The IAEA director pointed out that with China, India, and Pakistan, Asia “and in particular this region, is the most dynamic in terms of nuclear growth in the world.”

Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia, he cited, are also starting their own nuclear programs, as well as African countries that need grants and loans for their own nuclear push.

“People talk about the exponential growth of renewable energy, which is a very good thing, I must say. I am very positive about renewable energies,” Grossi asserted, lamenting the lack of subsidies and access to finance in the past.

“So, I believe that we are entering now a new phase. We will see how far it goes, we will see how fast it goes, but it is clearly, in my opinion, a watershed that has happened. Very important. So, it’s a very good day in that sense,” he added.

The IAEA official also met with President Marcos on Tuesday during a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace.

Grossi, who assumed office in 2019, is on his first official visit to the Philippines for the International High-Level Forum on Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics): Scaling Solutions and Partnerships for Global Impact.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that the Philippines is ready to move forward by using nuclear power for the nation’s energy requirements?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Eight Vietnamese Nationals Arrested In Parañaque City Over Visa Violations And Online Scam Involvement

November 29, 2025November 23, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, elements of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) apprehended eight Vietnamese nationals in a hotel for allegedly overstaying, illegal employment and suspected involvement in online scam operations, according to a news report by DZRH.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the DZRH news report. Some parts in boldface…

Eight Vietnamese nationals in Parañaque City were arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for allegedly overstaying, unauthorized employment, and suspected involvement in online scam operations.

The BI operatives conducted an enforcement operation on November 11 at a hotel unit along Roxas Boulevard, where they apprehended 29-year-old Nguyen Phan Gia Khuong, along with seven other Vietnamese nationals, which 6 more men and one woman.

Initial reports indicate that Khuong reportedly overstayed in the country and allegedly engaged in work and activities not authorized under his immigration status. Authorities further said he is connected to suspected online scams targeting foreign victims.

While conducting the inspection, officers found drug-related items and several bullets in a separate room within the same building. The evidence was promptly recorded and handed over to the proper law enforcement authorities for further investigation.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stressed that the agency is resolute in its crackdown on foreign nationals who exploit the country’s hospitality.

Viado also stated that the Philippines will not tolerate individuals who violate its laws or engage in illegal activities. He added that their agency is intensifying operations to ensure that those who pose a threat to public safety are apprehended and deported.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be more illegal aliens secretly living and doing online scam operations in the city?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

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