Aurora Cannabis (ACB.TO)(ACB) has confirmed multiple AI-generated news reports published online Wednesday are false.
One of the articles, published on the website Investing.com, claimed the Canadian pot company is acquiring a New Zealand-based cannabis producer in a $215 million cash and stock deal. Another report on the same site announced a new partnership to distribute medical cannabis in Europe. Both links were taken down as of Thursday afternoon.
“Neither of these stories are true in any way. This is entirely false information,” Aurora’s vice-president of communications and public relations Michelle Lefler stated in an email to Yahoo Finance Canada on Thursday. “I can confirm we take this situation very seriously and are taking the appropriate actions.”
Toronto-listed Aurora shares fell more than 20 per cent on Wednesday, despite the Edmonton-based company reporting strong financial results in its most recent quarter before the opening bell. Shares fell about four per cent on Thursday, hitting their lowest level since April.
A story posted on the website Investing.com on Wednesday said Aurora “announced today the acquisition of MedLeaf Therapeutics, a specialized medical cannabis producer, for $215 million in a cash and stock transaction.”
The article, which said it was generated with the support of artificial intelligence and reviewed by an editor, quotes Aurora CEO Miguel Martin, and cites filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
“The company has not entered into any such agreement, has had no discussions with MedLeaf Therapeutics with respect to any business combination transaction, and has not made any statement or filed any information pertaining to any such transaction,” Aurora stated in a news release.
A separate article on Investing.com published Wednesday, which also quoted Martin and cited SEC filings, referenced a new strategic partnership between Aurora and European pharmaceutical distributor MediPharm GmbH to expand its medical cannabis presence in Germany and other EU markets.
“Aurora has issued two press releases in the last 24 hours denouncing any information listed on Investing.com,” Lefler added in her email on Thursday.
An Investing.com spokesperson confirmed the content was removed in an email to Yahoo Finance Canada on Thursday.
“The articles in question were published due to a technical issue and were immediately removed upon receiving notice,” the spokesperson wrote.
