Debunking Venezuelan Celebration Footage and AI-Generated Pictures of Maduro.
AI-generated pictures purporting to show Nicolás Maduro detained after his capture by the United States have garnered many millions of impressions online.
How AI Images of the President Emerged Rapidly
The first fabricated AI image apparently showing him led off a plane emerged within hours. The graphic was not shared any verified government accounts; it was instead uploaded on the platform X by an account purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”.
We’ve checked an AI-watermark detector, which found the image was generated or edited with Google AI.
Additional AI-generated images started circulating in the following hours, appearing to show more angles of the leader under guard. Discernible identifying marks on these pictures indicate they originated from an Instagram profile called ultravfx.
The detection tool confirms the further images were similarly created or altered generative models.
Real Photo Posted but Fabrications Persisted
Donald Trump posted the genuine photograph of Nicolás Maduro in handcuffs aboard the USS Iwo Jima on Saturday morning. However, despite this confirmation was released, AI-generated images kept circulating but were updated to incorporate the grey tracksuit worn by Maduro.
Reverse image searches show these altered fabrications were initially shared on the video platform by a graphic design account. Similarly, the AI-watermark detector says the new graphics were generated or edited generative artificial intelligence.
Main Takeaways:
- Synthetic media circulated quickly following the news of the president's apprehension.
- The first fake image was shared very quickly on social media.
- Detection software like AI-watermark detectors helped to confirm the images as synthetic.
- Fake images persisted to circulate and be updated even after the publication of authentic photographs.
- The origin of many fabricated images was linked to social media profiles dedicated to AI art.
