Debunking Venezuelan Victory Videos and AI-Generated Pictures of Maduro.
AI-generated graphics claiming to portray Nicolás Maduro detained after his apprehension by the US have gained many millions of views across the internet.
How Fake Pictures of the President Surfaced Within Hours
The first inauthentic AI image apparently displaying him taken off a plane circulated a brief time later. This image was absent from any official US channels; it was instead posted on X by an profile purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”.
Verification involved an AI-watermark detector, determining the picture was produced or modified with generative AI.
More synthetic visuals were disseminated in the subsequent period, purporting to present additional perspectives of Maduro under guard. Visible logos on the graphics indicate they came from an Instagram profile called ultravfx.
The detection tool indicates these additional pictures were likewise produced using Google AI.
Authentic Image Posted but Fabrications Continued
The former US president posted the initial authentic image of Nicolás Maduro handcuffed aboard the US Navy ship on Saturday morning. However, despite this real photo was published, synthetic pictures kept circulating but were altered to show the grey tracksuit seen on Maduro.
Online investigation reveal these altered fabrications were first posted on the video platform by a graphic design account. Once again, analysis confirms the new graphics were created or altered generative artificial intelligence.
Main Takeaways:
- AI-generated content gained traction following the news of the president's apprehension.
- The first fake picture was shared very quickly on social media.
- Detection software like AI-watermark detectors were used to identify the pictures as AI-generated.
- Fabrications continued to spread and be updated despite the release of real photographs.
- The origin of several fabricated images was traced to social media accounts dedicated to graphic design.
