The Arcads service is rising in popularity for its ability to create videos featuring virtual avatars. These productions are proving so convincing that spotting AI involvement becomes surprisingly challenging for viewers.
The underlying neural network turns typed text into a moving scene, guided by an AI actor. From the examples shown, the quality appears notably high and polished.
Arcads markets itself as a solution for marketers aiming to produce affordable, high-quality social media ads. Yet the platform also drew ordinary users who simply wanted to see actors perform in front of the camera. In one clip, a girl explains a theory about Satoshi Nakamoto while delivering lines from Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley.
To generate a video, users compose text and pick from templates available on the official site. The service operates on a paid model; a package of ten micro videos costs about 100 euros.
However, soon after the premiere, a controversy emerged around Arcads. The developers insisted all videos were fully AI-generated, but many users contested this claim. They argued that each video relied on real footage that was then processed with deepfake technology. A similar approach is used by another neural network called HeyGen.
“The CEO of Arcads claimed the actors were 100% AI-generated, and that statement felt dishonest to many,” remarked a user known as BenjaminDEKR.
“Be cautious of artificial intelligence companies that make claims that don’t match reality. Arcads appears to claim full AI generation while the same actors turn up in other marketplaces,” noted Ta_nush.
“It isn’t simply AI. The woman is real, and there is a chance she could have been licensed and then modeled for an AI system. In effect, someone could mimic this process themselves using similar tools,” commented hvost.
People who want to produce clips with Arcads write content, select a template, and let the system render the video. The platform remains a paid service; expanding a campaign with additional shorts increases the cost.
Industry commentators also pointed out that the line between AI-generated content and manipulated footage is becoming blurrier, raising questions about how audiences interpret what they see on screen. This topic has sparked discussions across various tech communities and media outlets.
Overall reception shows interest in fast, scalable video creation, paired with ongoing concern about transparency and authenticity in AI-assisted media. The discourse continues as more creators explore what such systems can truly produce and where the boundaries lie. This debate mirrors broader conversations about synthetic media and its impact on advertising, entertainment, and everyday online communication. (VG Times)