In a windowless room that looks like the command center of a military base, agents wearing camouflage uniforms are moving around and shouting orders into microphones attached to their helmets. Suddenly, the lights above flicker, the floor shakes, and an explosion sends thick black smoke swirling through the space. The soldiers are thrown from their seats, and sparks from gunfire turn into a fire. This video, which claimed to show an Israeli missile strike, started appearing on the social media platform X in December 2025. At first glance, the scene seemed both realistic and horrifying, leading to widespread sharing and catching the attention of major international news outlets. However, the video soon raised concerns among some observers. An editor-in-chief, skeptical of the footage, sent it to Hany Farid, a leading international expert on deepfakes. Within minutes, Farid confirmed that the video had been created using artificial intelligence (AI), a technology that can generate highly realistic images and videos from digital data. Farid, a computer science professor at the University of California, Berkeley, is known for his work in identifying and analyzing AI-generated content. Deepfake technology has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, allowing for the creation of videos that are nearly indistinguishable from real footage. This has raised concerns about the potential misuse of such technology, especially in the context of warfare or political propaganda. Farid, who is set to teach at Dartmouth College, has dedicated much of his career to studying these issues. He often works with media organizations and governments to help detect and counteract the spread of AI-generated disinformation. The incident highlights the growing challenges of verifying the authenticity of digital content in the age of AI. As such videos become more common, the need for experts like Farid becomes more pressing. His work serves as a reminder that while technology can create powerful illusions, critical thinking and expert analysis remain essential in distinguishing truth from fabrication.