Exposing Venezuela Celebration Videos and AI-Generated Pictures of Maduro.
AI-generated graphics purporting to depict Venezuela's president detained after his capture by the United States have amassed tens of millions of views across the internet.
How AI Images of the President Emerged Within Hours
The first fabricated AI image seemingly showing him led off a aircraft emerged shortly after. The graphic was not shared any verified US channels; rather, it was posted on the platform X by an account purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”.
Our analysis used the SynthID tool, determining the image was produced or modified with generative AI.
Further synthetic visuals began to spread in the ensuing hours, seemingly depicting additional perspectives of Maduro under guard. Visible logos on these pictures reveal they came from an Instagram account called ultravfx.
The detection tool says the further images were similarly generated or edited Google AI.
Authentic Image Released but Fakes Persisted
The former US president posted the genuine photograph of Maduro handcuffed aboard the USS Iwo Jima on Saturday morning. However, despite this real photo was made public, synthetic images continued to spread but were updated to incorporate the grey athletic wear seen on Maduro.
Digital forensics show these altered fabrications were originally uploaded on the video platform by a graphic design account. Again, SynthID confirms the new graphics were created or altered generative artificial intelligence.
Main Takeaways:
- Synthetic media circulated quickly following the news of the president's apprehension.
- The first fake picture was shared within hours on social media.
- Detection software like Google’s SynthID were used to verify the images as AI-generated.
- Fake images persisted to circulate and be updated despite the publication of authentic photographs.
- The origin of many fabricated images was traced to social media accounts dedicated to AI art.
