AI’s Role in Redefining Reality
Mark Cuban’s recent X post highlights a growing concern: AI, especially AI-generated video, will soon blur the line between real and fake, pushing society toward more face-to-face (F2F) interactions.
Deepfakes, a key driver of this trend, have evolved rapidly. A 2022 Brookings report noted that deepfakes can manipulate videos to make people appear to say or do things they never did, often targeting political figures to sway elections.
By early 2023, generative AI systems like advanced chatbots had already reached over 100 million users, per a U.S. GAO report, showing how widespread AI’s influence has become in entertainment, education, and beyond.
The Push for Authentic Human Connection
As AI makes digital content less trustworthy, people are craving authentic experiences. Urban towns are becoming hotspots as individuals seek real-world engagement, a trend already visible in 2025.
Video marketing trends in 2025, according to MillerMedia7, show brands using AI to analyze emotional responses to videos, but this tech can’t replicate the energy of F2F interactions, driving demand for in-person events.
Luxury services are also on the rise. A comment on Cuban’s thread notes that AI-produced content will be seen as generic, while human-delivered, high-quality service will gain status as a premium offering.
Historical Parallels and Cultural Shifts
Cuban’s reference to the “Milli Vanilli effect” draws on the 1980s pop duo scandal where the group was exposed for lip-syncing, leading to a public backlash and a demand for authenticity in music.
A 2023 AI documentary by Curious Refuge about Milli Vanilli explored how AI can recreate narratives, hinting at a future where distinguishing truth from fabrication becomes even harder.
The 2025 movie *Mountainhead* on Max, released May 31, dramatizes this tension, depicting a world where AI distorts reality, forcing people to rely on human connections to find truth.
Opportunities in the F2F Economy
The shift to F2F is creating new jobs. Event planners, community managers, and experiential marketers are in high demand as businesses pivot to in-person engagement to build trust.
AI watermarks, suggested in responses to Cuban’s post, could help identify fake content, but tech leadership lags, leaving F2F as the most reliable way to verify authenticity for now.
Dating culture is also shifting. As online interactions become less trustworthy, more people are returning to in-person approaches, reviving old-school social dynamics.