Debunking Venezuelan Celebration Videos and AI-Generated Pictures of Nicolás Maduro.
AI-generated images purporting to depict Nicolás Maduro detained following his capture by the American authorities have gained many millions of views across the internet.
How AI Images of Maduro Appeared Soon After
Initial fabricated AI image seemingly showing him led off a aircraft surfaced shortly after. This image was not shared any official US channels; rather, it was posted on the platform X by an account purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”.
We’ve checked an AI-watermark detector, determining the picture was generated or edited with generative AI.
Additional synthetic pictures began to spread in the following hours, purporting to present more angles of Maduro in custody. Noticeable identifying marks on these pictures indicate they came from an Instagram profile named ultravfx.
AI analysis says the further images were also generated or edited Google AI.
Authentic Image Released but Fabrications Persisted
The former US president posted the initial authentic image of Maduro restrained aboard the USS Iwo Jima on that morning. But even after the authentic image was released, AI-generated images kept circulating but were altered to show the grey tracksuit worn by Maduro.
Online investigation indicate these altered fabrications were originally uploaded on TikTok by a digital art profile. Again, SynthID found these further images were produced with generative artificial intelligence.
Key Points:
- Synthetic media gained traction following the announcement of the president's apprehension.
- The first fake picture was shared on the same day on social media.
- Tools like AI-watermark detectors helped to confirm the pictures as synthetic.
- Fake images continued to circulate and be updated even after the publication of real images.
- The source of several fakes was traced to specific online profiles dedicated to AI art.
