Clarissa John & Dr. Ahmad Sauf
AI-generated content has exploded across social media, powering viral brain rot memes like "tung tung tung sahur" and automated posts that dominate TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Twitter feeds, sparking debate among UPSI students about its role in youth culture.
These tools enable rapid creation of quirky videos, absurd captions, and trend-jacking visuals that spread like wildfire, often blending nonsensical humor with eerie realism. From AI-dubbed clips of cartoon characters chanting "tung tung tung sahur" during Ramadan vibes to filter-heavy selfies and scripted influencer skits, the content hooks Gen Z and Alpha with instant gratification. But as platform algorithms prioritize quantity over quality, concerns regarding a decline of authenticity rise amid the laughter. The overwhelming amount of content on social media is a result of this AI phenomena.
Educators observe that this change poses a challenge to digital literacy, particularly in communication-intensive sectors where it becomes increasingly important to distinguish between genuine and synthetic. While AI makes editing and ideation easier, excessive use runs the risk of diluting originality in a time where viral popularity takes priority over authenticity.
Winsome Dau Francis, a TESL student gearing up for industrial training shared a stark view during a campus interview. "While AI is convenient for whipping up lesson plans and can brainstorm with me for ideas, the cons definitely outweigh the pros," said Winsome.
She detailed the cons: "It floods social media with shallow, addictive content that hooks attention but adds no depth. This makes kids scroll endlessly without building real thinking skills or cultural understanding. The increase of AI in social media is very concerning especially when younger kids don’t have parental supervision over what they consume on social media," said Winsome.
On the younger generation's future, she cautioned: "Younger generations rely on AI for everything from homework memes to trends, slowing critical thinking and language development. During my training, I'll push manual creation to preserve human insight and creativity," said the student.
UPSI integrates AI ethics into programs like Communications (Social Communication). Including AI related courses can equip students to harness these powerful digital tools responsibly while championing human-centered skills in a bot-saturated digital landscape.