Renowned physicist Brian Cox has recently expressed gratitude towards YouTube for taking action against channels that generated AI deepfakes of him discussing falsehoods about the comet ATLAS 3i. Despite this, he remains concerned about the long-term implications and solutions to such digital impersonations.
Cox, who is a Professor of Particle Physics at The University of Manchester and a prominent figure in science documentaries, voiced his frustrations earlier this week on social media regarding the misleading AI-generated videos. He emphasized that any video depicting him supporting unlikely theories about UFOs, flat Earth, or the comet ATLAS 3i being a spaceship is fabricated.
The Mystery of Comet 3I/ATLAS
Comet 3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1, 2025, and has since captivated astronomers due to its unique status as an interstellar comet. Unlike typical comets, it doesn’t orbit the Sun and is one of only three known interstellar comets to have passed through our Solar System. This ancient comet, estimated to be over 7 billion years old, is twice as old as Earth, marking it the oldest comet observed to date.
Some individuals have speculated that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien spaceship performing covert maneuvers around the sun, leading to the emergence of deepfakes featuring scientists seemingly affirming these theories. This prompted Cox to call on YouTube for more decisive action against such misleading content, although he noted that the platform’s response has been slow.
Broader Implications of AI Deepfakes
YouTube has reportedly acted to remove the most significant AI accounts impersonating Cox, yet the physicist questions the broader ramifications of this technology. While false comet narratives may seem trivial, deepfakes can have profound implications in science and politics.
This issue isn’t isolated to Cox; other celebrities have also confronted AI deepfakes. Earlier, Keanu Reeves criticized AI-generated videos using his likeness without consent, and Tom Hanks warned fans about unauthorized AI likenesses in advertisements. Jamie Lee Curtis and Morgan Freeman have similarly addressed unwanted AI imitations.
In a statement to clarify the truth about the comet, Cox reaffirmed that 3I/ATLAS is indeed a natural comet composed of carbon dioxide, water ice, and other elements. He hopes future encounters with this comet in other solar systems will be appreciated for its true nature—a pristine interstellar traveler from a distant galaxy.