Brian Cox, a renowned physicist and professor at the University of Manchester, has expressed gratitude to YouTube for eliminating accounts that utilized artificial intelligence to produce deepfakes of him discussing the comet ATLAS 3i. He described the fabricated content as “nonsense” and raised concerns about the implications of such technology.
Cox took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice his frustration over the proliferation of misleading AI-generated videos, particularly those claiming he suggested that comet ATLAS 3i was a spaceship. His original tweet has garnered significant attention, amassing over 618,500 views.
The comet ATLAS 3i, discovered on July 1, 2025, has intrigued astronomers due to its unique trajectory, as it does not orbit the Sun like typical comets. Instead, it is classified as an interstellar comet, originating from outside our Solar System, and is believed to be around 7 billion years old, making it one of the oldest comets observed.
There are sensational claims circulating that ATLAS 3i might be an alien mothership. In response to the spread of these theories, Cox reiterated the scientific viewpoint via Twitter, clarifying, “Comet 3I/ATLAS is a comet, made of carbon dioxide and water ices and bits of other stuff.” He emphasized its natural origins and expected orbital path.
In addressing the issue of deepfakes, Cox noted that while the misinformation surrounding a comet may not be critical, similar fabrications in other scientific fields or in politics could pose serious risks. He acknowledged the slow response from platforms regarding such misleading content, stating, “We keep telling them and they are bloody slow.”
Although YouTube has acted to remove prominent accounts responsible for the deepfakes, Cox is concerned about long-term solutions. He stated, “Thanks to @YouTube for taking down the more prominent AI accounts of me quickly – I”m not sure what the solution to this will be in the longer term.”
This incident is part of a growing trend where celebrities have raised alarms over the misuse of deepfake technology. Other notable figures, including Keanu Reeves and Tom Hanks, have also expressed their concerns and taken action against unauthorized uses of their likenesses in AI-generated content.
Cox concluded with a hopeful perspective on comet ATLAS 3i, suggesting that if it were to encounter another solar system in the distant future, he hopes the inhabitants would appreciate it as a remarkable visitor from the galaxy, rather than misconceiving its true nature.
