Barbados’ National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has issued a public alert over the spread of deceptive AI-generated videos that falsely claim to show the country’s iconic Grand Kadooment festival, urging audiences to seek only verified, official content for accurate coverage of the beloved cultural event. In a public statement released Monday, foundation representatives confirmed they have identified multiple AI-created clips circulating across YouTube and other major digital platforms that incorrectly frame synthetic imagery as authentic festival content. Many of these misleading videos are structured with headlines, descriptions and formatting designed to trick viewers into mistaking them for legitimate live streams, official event recordings or authentic on-the-ground footage, the NCF explained.
In its formal release, the NCF drew a clear line between authentic festival content and the synthetic clips, stressing that none of these AI-generated videos were produced, commissioned, approved or officially endorsed by the foundation. “These materials do not offer an accurate visual record of Grand Kadooment, and they should not be treated as a true reflection of the entire Crop Over experience,” the statement added.
Grand Kadooment, the centerpiece of Barbados’ annual Crop Over festival, is far more than a public celebration: it is a living, evolving expression of Barbadian national identity, crafted collectively by a sprawling community of local creative talent. From bandleaders and costume designers to independent artisans, musicians, performing artists, production crews, participating masqueraders and thousands of spectators, every person involved contributes to making the one-of-a-kind event what it is, the NCF noted.
The foundation is calling on both private social media users and established media outlets to avoid circulating or republishing the AI-generated videos as factual documentation of the 2024 or any year’s Grand Kadooment. For audiences seeking verified footage, behind-the-scenes updates and official event information, the NCF directs the public to its own verified social channels, @thencfbarbados and @lovecropoverbb, as well as content from the organization’s licensed broadcast and media partners.
While the NCF says it welcomes the growing global interest in Barbados’ Crop Over tradition, the organization emphasized that all public depictions of the festival must be created and shared responsibly, with full respect for the Barbadian creatives and cultural practitioners whose tireless work and heritage bring the iconic celebration to life each year.