251103 - The “Surfing Whale is AI”
The Surfing Whale is AI. It’s a fake video. That’s what people say on social media!
The Surfing Whale, Lennox Head NSW.
I have been bombarded with comments on my video and reposts of the Surfing Whale video calling is AI. So I put together the below video addressing it.
It’s both sad and niave to watch my video of the '“Surfing Whale” and dismiss it as AI. To me, it shows that people’s perception of reality is being heavily influenced by AI, so much so that they dismiss a video from 2020 before AI was even a thing. Now… this blog isn’t going to be about the imminent overtake of the world by AI. But it does make you wonder if it’s making question the truely wonderful things this world has to offer and the artists that populate it.
To be fair, I use AI in some of my photo editing workflows. I use “Generative Fill” in Photoshop when areas of a photo are proving difficult to edit. Sometimes you need a little assistance to get it over the line. But creating videos and “deep fakes” are taking it way too far in my opinion.
Rather than banging on about AI and how it can affect creators, photographers, artists, musicians etc., I am going to include a link to the Image Makers Association of Australia’s website, an association I am a member of.
https://www.imagemakersassociation.com.au
In short and taking this directly from IMAA website, The IMAA “represent Australian professional and emerging photographers through education, advocacy, and industry connections. We support members in disputes over image misuse, promote their rights, and celebrate their work. As an inclusive association, we value all members equally and are recognised by the Australian Copyright Council (ACC) as the voice for professional photographers in Australia.” So, if someone shares your photo and doesn’t credit you as the creator, shares it without your permission etc., a member can ask the IMAA to step in on their behalf.
The IMAA has been following the AI topic closely. If you’d like to know more about the work that IMAA does and specifically towards protecting the rights of images makers, go to https://www.imagemakersassociation.com.au/advocacy I’ll also link in the Media Release from The Honorable Michelle Rowland MP that touches on what the Albanese Government is doing to ensure Australia is prepares for future copyright challenges emerging from AI https://ministers.ag.gov.au/media-centre/albanese-government-ensure-australia-prepared-future-copyright-challenges-emerging-ai-26-10-2025
So, onto the REAL Surfing Whale…
I put this video together as a comment on AI. But it mainly focuses on the story of how the Surfing Whale came to be. You can watch my full interview with Ali Langdon and Karl Stefonovic on the TODAY Show HERE.
