The viral ‘Sky Stadium’ design video is a hoax
A viral video claiming to showcase the world’s first Sky Stadium, named ‘NEOM’, to be built by Saudi Arabia ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, has turned out to be an Artificial Intelligence (AI) hoax.
The stadium was said to have a seating capacity of 46,000 spectators to accommodate fans and officials during matches. Reports also claimed it would be suspended 1,150 feet above the ground and powered entirely by wind and solar energy instead of conventional electricity.
A promotional video depicted the stadium perched atop a skyscraper, illuminated by vibrant lights surrounding the structure.
Saudi Arabia unveils floating ‘Sky Stadium’ concept for 2034 World Cup
However, investigations by Mail Sport revealed that the video was created using AI by 34-year-old Liam Hawes while he was lying in bed.
Hawes said he was astonished when he discovered that the video had been published by major news outlets around the world and believed to be real.
“It was crazy. Two weeks ago, while I was on my phone before bed, the idea just popped into my head. I put the concept together, and before you know it, it was going all around the world. We had 13,000 people share it initially, and after that, there was no containing it.
“I saw all sorts of publications and social media accounts spreading the video as if it were the official Saudi Arabia skyscraper stadium for the World Cup,” he said. “I was like, I have no idea what’s going on here. I had no knowledge of the Saudis’ project. Before I knew it, my friends and even my mum were calling, saying, ‘Isn’t that video on the news the thing you designed?’ It was crazy,” he told Mail Sport.
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