Unmasking Venezuelan Celebration Videos and AI-Generated Pictures of Maduro.
Synthetic pictures purporting to show Venezuela's president under arrest following his apprehension by the US have amassed tens of millions of impressions across the internet.
The Way AI Images of Maduro Appeared Rapidly
Initial fabricated AI image apparently displaying him being escorted off a plane circulated within hours. The picture was absent from any verified government accounts; it was instead posted on X by an account purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”.
Our analysis used Google’s SynthID, confirming the image was generated or edited with Google AI.
Further AI-generated visuals started circulating in the ensuing period, purporting to present additional perspectives of the leader under guard. Noticeable logos on these pictures show they originated from an Instagram account named ultravfx.
AI analysis confirms these additional images were similarly produced using AI technology.
Real Photo Released but Fabrications Continued
The former US president shared the initial authentic image of Maduro in handcuffs aboard the US Navy ship on that morning. But even after this confirmation was made public, AI-generated images continued to spread but were modified to incorporate the gray sweatsuit worn by Maduro.
Online investigation reveal these updated fakes were originally uploaded on TikTok by a graphic design profile. Again, SynthID found the new graphics were produced with generative artificial intelligence.
Important Facts:
- 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.
- Detection software like AI-watermark detectors were used to verify the images as synthetic.
- Fake images continued to circulate and evolve even after the release of authentic images.
- The source of many fabricated images was traced to specific online accounts dedicated to AI art.
