Google Veo 3 and the Blurring Line Between Reality and Illusion

Google’s recent unveiling of Veo 3, its most advanced AI video generation tool yet, marks a massive leap in artificial intelligence — and not without consequence. With the ability to generate photorealistic, cinematic-quality video from text prompts, Veo 3 raises exciting possibilities but also serious concerns across industries and societies. From the world of cinema to the realms of misinformation, jobs, and creativity — nothing will remain untouched.
What Is Google Veo 3?
Think ChatGPT, but instead of words, it produces full videos. Veo 3 can create scenes from scratch based on natural language descriptions, add realistic camera movements, lighting, and even emotional tones to visuals. It can emulate specific film styles, recreate environments, and build entire narratives from a prompt. This isn’t just animation — this is AI-generated cinema.
The Future of Cinema and Content Creation
Let’s be honest: Veo 3 is a game-changer for filmmakers, marketers, and content creators. Agencies that once required entire crews, cameras, actors, editors, and thousands in production costs can now conjure an entire campaign with just a keyboard and an imagination.
On the flip side? Real creatives, from set designers to DOPs, may find their roles threatened.
This could give rise to a new kind of filmmaker — a “prompt director” — but what about the value of human-crafted stories, imperfections, and the magic of on-set collaboration? Will we crave authenticity in a world where everything can be perfectly faked?
Deepfakes, Fake News & Dead Internet Theory
Veo 3 brings the Dead Internet Theory uncomfortably closer to reality — the idea that much of the internet is no longer created or interacted with by real people, but by bots and AI.
Soon, you may not be able to tell if that video of a celebrity saying something inflammatory is real. Deepfakes, which once required high technical knowledge, are now democratised — and that’s dangerous. Combine this with political agendas, fake news, and conspiracy echo chambers, and we’re looking at a future where truth becomes optional.
Expect a flood of AI-generated media that’s indistinguishable from reality. And if people already distrust mainstream news, how will they cope when nothing can be verified?
The Scammer’s New Playground
Imagine receiving a video call or message from a loved one — or so you think — only to realise it was a scammer using Veo-like tools to deepfake their likeness. The tools that were once the preserve of high-end studios are becoming accessible to anyone. The scammer from Facebook Marketplace doesn’t need Photoshop anymore — they have Veo 3.
AI-generated misinformation could cause identity theft, reputational damage, and even geopolitical tensions. We’re not just fighting misinformation — we’re fighting hyperrealism.
Marketing Agencies and the Collapse of “Real”
From brands creating entire ad campaigns without shooting a single frame to influencers that don’t exist, Veo 3 may accelerate the AI-first marketing era. It’s cheaper, faster, and often indistinguishable from real footage. But as more brands embrace it, the human touch — that raw authenticity that builds trust — may start to erode.
What happens when every influencer is AI-generated, every advert a prompt, every model digitally sculpted?
The Creativity Question
Veo 3 brings us back to the central question: What is creativity in the age of AI?
Are we entering a post-human artistic phase, where ideas matter more than execution? Or are we devaluing the skill, effort, and emotional depth behind human-made art?
There’s no doubt AI tools like Veo 3 can assist creatives — offering new ways to ideate, prototype, and tell stories. But we must also be aware of how easy it is to let the machine do all the work — and how quickly human talent can become undervalued, or even obsolete.
Final Thoughts: A Fork in the Algorithm
Google Veo 3 is both a revolution and a warning. It offers power, convenience, and breathtaking possibilities — but also a mirror to the darkest parts of our digital culture: manipulation, job displacement, surveillance, and the erosion of truth.
As we marvel at what’s possible, we also need to ask better questions: Who controls these tools? Who verifies what’s real? Who gets left behind?
At Flaminky, we celebrate the intersection of culture, tech, and society — and right now, we’re at one of those defining crossroads. The future isn’t just coming fast… it’s being generated.
Female Torso - £25.00
Female Torso
£25.00
Celebrate the timeless elegance of the human form with this digital drawing of a female torso, created to emulate the texture and depth of traditional pencil work. This piece blends the precision of digital art with the warmth and softness of hand-drawn shading, resulting in a modern yet classic study of form.
Ideal for art enthusiasts, figure drawing collectors, or anyone seeking tasteful and minimalist décor, this artwork offers a subtle, sophisticated focal point for any space.
Style
Digital illustration with traditional pencil effect
Subject
Female torso (artistic study)
Mood
Minimalist, elegant, and expressive
Series
Traditional


Turquoise House - £25.00
Turquoise House
£25.00
Add a splash of artistic charm to your space with this digital design of a turquoise house, featuring a soft watercolour effect with a crisp black outline. This piece combines the gentle fluidity of traditional watercolour with the precision of digital art, creating a striking yet calming aesthetic.
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Digital watercolour with hand-drawn black outline
Subject
Turquoise house
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Soft, painterly watercolour feel paired with bold line work
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Houses


Pink Princess Philodendron - £25.00
Pink Princess Philodendron
£25.00
Celebrate the beauty of houseplants with this digital portrait of a Pink Princess Philodendron, featuring its signature variegated leaves in soft greens and pinks. The pastel pink background enhances the plant’s delicate tones, creating a soothing and contemporary art piece perfect for plant lovers and modern interiors.
This artwork blends clean, hand-drawn digital lines with a soft colour palette, making it an ideal choice for botanical art collectors, plant parents, or anyone looking to add a fresh, natural touch to their décor.
Style
Hand-drawn digital illustration
Subject
Pink Princess Philodendron (houseplant)
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Pastel pink
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Plants


Giants Causeway - £25.00
The Giant’s Causeway
£25.00
Capture the magic of Northern Ireland’s iconic coastline with this digital illustration of the Giant’s Causeway. Inspired by the dramatic hexagonal basalt columns and sweeping ocean views, this artwork brings one of the world’s most famous natural wonders to life in a modern, vibrant style.
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Style
Hand-drawn digital art
Subject
Giant’s Causeway (Northern Ireland)
Series
Places


Welsh Corgi - £25.00
Welsh Corgi
£25.00
Brighten your space with this adorable digital illustration of a Welsh Corgi, featuring the breed’s signature charm and a neutral, open-mouth smile. The soft yet lively pink background adds a playful pop of color, making it perfect for dog lovers and art enthusiasts alike.
Part of our Dog / Pet Series, this piece combines clean digital artistry with warm character a must-have for Corgi fans or anyone who appreciates vibrant, modern pet portraits.
Style
Hand-drawn digital art
Subject
Welsh Corgi with open-mouth neutral smile
Background
Pink
Series
Dog / Pet Series


Yr Wyddfa Summit 1083m!
This weekend, my partner Kyle and I climbed Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), 1,083m, the highest mountain in Wales, and I couldn’t be prouder. Not just because of the climb itself, but because of what it represented.
Back in May, I was in a car accident that left me injured and with severe driving anxiety. So before even lacing up my hiking boots, I faced another mountain: driving over 5 hours up to North Wales. For Kyle’s birthday trip, I wanted to make it happen. And I did.
Standing at the summit of Yr Wyddfa felt like more than just a breathtaking view. It felt like reclaiming confidence, proving to myself that healing isn’t linear, and that little steps can lead to big victories.
The climb itself was challenging but beautiful, with steady inclines, changing landscapes, and that rewarding feeling of moving closer to the sky with every step. Each moment up the mountain was a reminder that resilience isn’t just about pushing through pain; it’s about showing up for yourself even when it’s hard.
Sometimes progress doesn’t look like huge leaps. Sometimes it looks like long drives, steady climbs, and small victories adding up to something big. And this weekend, reaching the top of Wales’ highest peak with Kyle by my side felt like a victory I’ll never forget.
CDF - Cardiff 10k 2025
I’m not going to lie… heading into the Cardiff 10k, I felt totally unprepared. I hadn’t run since the London 10k and hadn’t trained one bit. But somehow, despite all of that, I crossed the finish line with a time close to my pre-crash race times, and I can’t explain how happy that made me.
It felt like a tiny breakthrough. Little by little, I’m getting there. My confidence is creeping back, my pace is starting to resemble what it once was, and for a brief moment during the race, I felt like myself again.
But the reality of my ongoing recovery hit hard afterwards. My neck pain was awful! so bad that I had to use my massage gun, take painkillers, and nap just to ease it. It’s frustrating living with this constant pain since the crash. Sometimes I wish I could just go back to “normal,” to run without thinking about how my body will respond afterwards.
With the Cardiff Half Marathon only a month away, my anxiety is definitely bubbling. I can see the progress, but I’m still nervous about how my body will perform during (and after) the race. Still, this 10k reminded me that I am moving forward, even if it’s slow and messy.
Step by step, race by race, I’m clawing my way back. And that feels like a win worth celebrating.
London 10k 2025
Just a week after the Porthcawl 10k, I was back at it again, this time for the London 10k 2025. And honestly? This one felt different. For the first time since my crash, I experienced that euphoric race feeling I’d been missing.
The vibes were amazing! Crowds lining the streets, the energy of London buzzing all around, the kind of atmosphere that lifts you even when you’re not chasing a PB. I went into this race with zero pressure, fully aware that I’ve been running in pain for a long time now. And because of that, it became about enjoyment, not speed.
At the 5k mark, I even had to make a quick pit stop (yes, I peed) and then headed to the St John’s Ambulance tent for some Vaseline to battle the chub rub (iykyk, girlies). After that, though, I felt great and just let myself soak it all in.
This was also a solo race for me, but I wasn’t really alone. My good friend Amy was there on the sidelines, cheering me on, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciated that support. Friendships like this make races feel even more special.
Crossing the finish line in London felt like a turning point. I wasn’t chasing a time, I wasn’t running from pain, I was running with joy again. And that, to me, is priceless.
Here’s to more euphoric races, more supportive friends, and remembering why I fell in love with running in the first place.
Porthcawl 10k 2025
Just over a month after the Barry 10k, I lined up at the Porthcawl 10k — my first race running completely on my own since the crash. Kyle was running too, but separately this time. This felt like a big step for me: no safety net, no one to lean on mid-race, just me, my body, and my mind.
And honestly? It was a mental battle from start to finish. Not only am I still running through pain, but this week I found out I’m being made redundant after four years at an agency. That news knocked my confidence hard. I’ve been filled with self-doubt, questioning my worth, and feeling like I’m not good enough.
But something shifted during this race. Halfway through, when my legs were tired and my brain was spiralling, I decided to flip the script. I turned my anger, my hurt, and my fear into determination. I pushed, kilometre by kilometre, telling myself: I can do this. I am good enough.
Crossing the finish line at Porthcawl felt bigger than just another medal. It felt like proof that even when my mental health is in the gutter, I can still rise. That even with pain, uncertainty, and self-doubt, I can finish what I started.
This race taught me that running isn’t just physical. It’s a lifeline, a release, and a way to take back control when everything else feels out of my hands.
Here’s to using the hard moments as fuel — and reminding ourselves that we’re stronger than we think.