Have you ever imagined what it was like to witness the Hiroshima bombing in 1945 or the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986? Or would you like to wake up on a Mars colony in 2067 or live as a villager who helped build the Great Wall of China? Thanks to a new AI-driven trend on TikTok, you no longer have to wonder. Users are now “experiencing” historical events through hyper-realistic AI-generated videos that place them at the heart of the action.
While these videos allow millions to explore historical moments, some experts question their reliability, debating whether AI can authentically revive the past or if it merely produces a modernised interpretation designed to capture attention.
@timetravellerpov POV: You wake up in 1351 During the Black Plague #history #historytok #ai ♬ original sound – Time Traveller POV
The rise of AI-powered historical content
Would you like to step into the shoes of historical figures or ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances? With AI-generated visuals and voiceovers, TikTok users are creating realistic re-enactments of historical moments, from the Salem Witch Trials to the sinking of the Titanic. These videos aim to provide a unique perspective, often portraying events through the eyes of an average person living at the time.
Many online praise the educational potential of this trend, highlighting how these videos make history more engaging and accessible, particularly for younger audiences who might otherwise find it dull. The ability to see and hear a recreated version of the past can spark curiosity and encourage deeper learning.
@timetravellerpov POV: You wake up on the Titanic in 1912 #history #historytok #ai #titanic ♬ original sound – Time Traveller POV
Idea of seeing the past through a first-person perspective felt like a unique way to bring history to life.
Dan, the UK-based TikTok creator of POV Lab, told BBC.
The trend is gaining momentum, with some videos amassing millions of views and likes. However, some experts warn that these AI-generated experiences could lead to misconceptions, raising concerns about misinformation and historical accuracy.
Ethical concerns and misinformation danger
AI-generated historical videos on TikTok may offer engaging insights into the past, but critics argue that they blur the line between education and entertainment, sometimes distorting facts and presenting a version shaped by modern biases.
Historian Dr Amy Boyington told the BBC: “It can be quite dangerous as people could manipulate history – for example, someone could create an AI-generated video that backs up holocaust deniers”. This raises the risk of audiences accepting AI-generated depictions as facts, which is especially dangerous when the videos cover sensitive topics such as war, genocide, or political conflicts.
@timetravellerpov POV: You wake up as a Gladiator in Rome #history #historytok #ai #rome ♬ original sound – Time Traveller POV
Although most viewers understand that these videos are not entirely accurate, the primary concern is for younger users who may be encountering a particular historical event for the first time through this content. However, TikTok creators refute these criticisms, arguing that the videos “are not meant to be taken as pure historical fact” and will not replace proper historical education.
One of the biggest issues with AI-generated videos is their inaccuracy in depicting key details. In an interview with the BBC, Barbara Keys, a professor of US history at Durham University, analysed one of the most popular videos portraying a worker at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on 26 April 1986 – the day of the reactor explosion. She pointed out that the reactor in the video is shown based on images taken after the disaster, not before it. This could lead viewers to mistakenly believe that Soviet technology was inherently flawed when, in reality, it was quite advanced for its time.
Despite its popularity, this trend is not without controversy. As AI technology continues to evolve and become more accessible, the debate over its role in historical storytelling is set to intensify. While these recreations have the potential to make history more engaging and understandable, they also come with the responsibility to ensure accuracy and ethical use.
