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Who is Lily Jay? Australian influencer accused of using AI in aid videos

A blonde woman stands among smiling children holding lollipops. A foundation banner hangs behind them. She announces that a new orphanage has opened in Africa.

But evidence collected during an ABC investigation suggests that the woman in the video isn’t real. Neither are the children or the banner behind them.

The scene appears to have been generated using artificial intelligence.

Millions of people have watched an Australian influencer promise food, shelter and hope to children in some of the world’s most critical crisis zones.

Now, her foundation faces questions about its humanitarian claims, the money it solicited, and the damage AI-generated appeals could do to public trust in charities.

Today, ABC News Verify journalist, Matt Martino on the Lily Jay Foundation, and the tangled web behind its humanitarian work.

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