By Tim Binnall
The creepy AI-generated 'Cat in the Hat' hoax that prompted police responses in Ireland and the UK has come to America, with officials in multiple states issuing warnings about the weird viral trend specifically targeting schools. The strange social media craze, wherein fake pictures and videos depict an unsettling individual dressed as the Dr. Seuss character lurking in communities and outside homes, came to light last week when authorities in several Irish and Scottish cities were forced to issue statements clarifying that there was no threat to the public because the photos and footage were fabrications. Since then, the trend has unsurprisingly spread to the United States, causing concern among law enforcement officials.
Earlier this week, police in Colorado announced the arrest of a teenager who sparked something of a panic when he posted one of the now-infamous 'Cat in the Hat' images with claims that the menacing figure might appear at a school in the community. A teen in Kansas was also arrested for similarly worrisome social media activity. Meanwhile, authorities in Kentucky, Arkansas, Georgia, and other states have issued statements regarding the viral hoax as it continues to spread like wildfire, warning that youngsters who participate in the 'prank' could face serious consequences should their activity be perceived as a threat to the public.
Perhaps the most surreal response to the situation so far came from Tennessee, where the state's Department of Homeland Security actually held a press conference (seen above) about the trend. Speaking to reporters at the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Greg Mays explained the nature of the AI images and videos and amusingly observed that they feature "figures primarily from the 2003 live 'Cat in the Hat' movie." While he noted that "there's nothing wrong" with creating such media, where it becomes problematic is when the footage and photos include "dark or unsettling undertones and, even worse, they're overlaid with threats ... and that's where it crosses the line."