Exposing Venezuelan Victory Footage and AI-Generated Pictures of Nicolás Maduro.
AI-generated graphics claiming to depict Nicolás Maduro in custody following his apprehension by the US have amassed countless of views on social media.
The Way AI Images of the President Emerged Within Hours
The first inauthentic AI image seemingly showing him led off a plane emerged a brief time later. The graphic was unpublished by any official US channels; rather, it was uploaded on X by an profile describing itself as an “enthusiast of AI-generated art”.
Our analysis used an AI-watermark detector, determining the picture was produced or modified with AI tools.
Additional AI-generated images started circulating in the subsequent period, appearing to show more angles of Maduro detained. Visible logos on these images indicate they originated from an Instagram account called ultravfx.
The detection tool says these additional pictures were likewise created or altered AI technology.
Authentic Image Posted but Fabrications Persisted
The former US president released the first real photo of Maduro in handcuffs aboard the USS Iwo Jima on that morning. Yet following this real photo was published, AI-generated pictures kept circulating but were modified to show the gray sweatsuit seen on Maduro.
Online investigation show these updated fakes were initially shared on the video platform by a graphic design profile. Again, SynthID found the new graphics were created or altered generative artificial intelligence.
Main Takeaways:
- Deepfakes spread rapidly after the announcement of the president's apprehension.
- The first fake picture appeared within hours on social media.
- Detection software like Google’s SynthID helped to confirm the pictures as synthetic.
- Fake images continued to spread and evolve despite the publication of authentic photographs.
- The source of several fakes was linked to social media profiles focused on graphic design.
