Exposing Venezuelan Celebration Footage and AI Images of Maduro.
Synthetic graphics purporting to portray Venezuela's president in custody following his apprehension by the US have gained tens of millions of views across the internet.
The Way AI Images of Maduro Appeared Within Hours
The first fabricated AI image seemingly showing him being escorted off a plane surfaced shortly after. The graphic was not shared any authoritative American sources; rather, it was uploaded on X by an account purporting to be an “enthusiast of AI-generated art”.
Our analysis used an AI-watermark detector, which found the image was created or altered with AI tools.
More AI-generated visuals started circulating in the following period, seemingly depicting different views of Maduro detained. Discernible watermarks on these pictures reveal they originated from an Instagram account called ultravfx.
The detection tool indicates the further images were also produced using AI technology.
Authentic Image Released but Fabrications Persisted
The former US president released the first real photo of Nicolás Maduro restrained aboard the US Navy ship on Saturday morning. However, despite this confirmation was published, synthetic images kept circulating but were altered to show the gray sweatsuit seen on Maduro.
Online investigation indicate these updated fakes were initially shared on TikTok by a graphic design profile. Similarly, the AI-watermark detector found these subsequent pictures were produced with Google AI.
Main Takeaways:
- Synthetic media spread rapidly after the news of the president's apprehension.
- The initial fabricated image appeared on the same day on social media.
- Tools like AI-watermark detectors were used to identify the images as inauthentic.
- Fabrications persisted to circulate and evolve despite the publication of authentic images.
- The source of many fabricated images was linked to social media profiles dedicated to AI art.