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Arch Manning Apologizes for AI Video Joke About Sarkisian

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 10:13 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Arch Manning apologized on Instagram on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, for laughing about an AI video of Steve Sarkisian slapping reporter Holly Rowe.
He joked at a press conference after Texas rallied from a 23-3 deficit to beat No. 1 Ohio State.
The AI edit showed Sarkisian striking Rowe and running off, though the interview ended abruptly.
Holly Rowe thanked Manning on Instagram, accepted his apology, and said they will move forward with respect.

History

Historical Context

In 2018, a BuzzFeed-produced deepfake of former President Barack Obama warned viewers about AI-generated misinformation and sparked global debate. The video, directed by Jordan Peele and featuring Stanford-trained engineers, garnered over 10 million views within seven days and prompted Facebook to tighten policy. Similarly, Arch Manning’s September 15, 2026 Instagram apology followed an AI-fabricated clip that falsely showed Texas coach Steve Sarkisian striking reporter Holly Rowe during a post-game press conference. Both incidents underscore how deepfake technology forces athletes, media outlets, and social platforms to adopt rigorous verification protocols, legal safeguards, and public-trust initiatives.

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Story summary

Arch Manning apologized on Instagram on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, for laughing about an AI video of Steve Sarkisian slapping reporter Holly Rowe.
He joked at a press conference after Texas rallied from a 23-3 deficit to beat No. 1 Ohio State.
The AI edit showed Sarkisian striking Rowe and running off, though the interview ended abruptly.
Holly Rowe thanked Manning on Instagram, accepted his apology, and said they will move forward with respect.

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