ai uncovers truth behind 1967 Bigfoot footage debate
Experts have decided to take advantage of the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence to enhance the quality of a popular recording from 1967 that allegedly captured the figure of Bigfoot. The recording, which has sparked numerous controversies and questions over the years, was made in Bluff Creek, California. While some consider it a forgery, the application of modern technology in its analysis allows for a fresh perspective on what it actually depicts.
The original recording, which aimed to capture Bigfoot, a mysterious creature believed, according to unconfirmed reports, to inhabit the Rocky Mountains along the Canada-U.S. border, was filmed on October 20, 1967. It was recorded by Roger Patterson and Robert Gimlin. The film shows a figure moving dynamically through the Six Rivers National Forest and at one point turning its face toward the camera.
AI improved the Bigfoot recording
The recording has often been presented as evidence supporting the existence of the mysterious creature. However, the low quality of the footage has made it difficult to discern details that could support or refute this theory. Consequently, specialists decided to reanalyse the footage with the help of artificial intelligence, which, according to IFL Science, provided a clearer image, enabling a more accurate assessment of details.
Bigfoot, also known as the "man of the forest," reportedly resides in various regions of North America according to numerous accounts. The name comes from the large footprints it allegedly leaves behind. Nevertheless, most stories about it have never been verified. Often, those attempting to prove its existence ended up discovering someone in an animal costume. Similar suspicions have arisen regarding the 1967 footage, even though its creators, Patterson and Gimlin, claimed they had tracked the creature for a long time before managing to film it.
Analyses of hair and footprint traces attributed to Bigfoot have often revealed they could actually belong to bears or dogs. The version of the film improved by artificial intelligence, shared on Twitter by Rowan Cheung, also casts doubt on the legend. The enhancement of the image quality made the "Bigfoot" visible in the recording appear like a person dressed in a gorilla costume. Commentators noted that such a costume could be found in Halloween costume shops. Details resembling straps or buckles were also observed, suggesting a man-made origin of the visible figure. Despite this, there are still individuals convinced that the material shows the legendary creature.
Artificial intelligence serves as a valuable tool for scientists in solving many mysteries and conducting important research. It is used in various fields of science, beyond merely enhancing video material quality. For example, a team from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) developed an algorithm allowing for the automatic deciphering of ancient languages without requiring knowledge of other related languages.
