Exposing Venezuela Celebration Videos and AI-Generated Pictures of Maduro.
Computer-created graphics purporting to depict Nicolás Maduro under arrest following his capture by the United States have amassed many millions of impressions on social media.
How AI Images of Maduro Appeared Within Hours
The first fake synthetic picture seemingly showing him taken off a plane emerged within hours. The picture was not shared any official government accounts; it was instead posted on X by an account purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”.
Our analysis used an AI-watermark detector, which found the picture was created or altered with Google AI.
More synthetic visuals began to spread in the following hours, appearing to show different views of Maduro detained. Noticeable watermarks on these images show they came from an Instagram profile named ultravfx.
The detection tool says all of these pictures were also created or altered AI technology.
Real Photo Released but Fabrications Continued
The former US president shared the genuine photograph of Maduro in handcuffs aboard the USS Iwo Jima on that morning. But even after this real photo was released, synthetic images continued to spread but were modified to include the gray sweatsuit worn by Maduro.
Digital forensics reveal the new fake images were originally uploaded on TikTok by a graphic design account. Again, the AI-watermark detector confirms these subsequent pictures were created or altered generative artificial intelligence.
Main Takeaways:
- AI-generated content gained traction following the news of Maduro's capture.
- The first fake picture was shared on the same day on platform X.
- Tools like Google’s SynthID helped to verify the images as AI-generated.
- Fabrications continued to circulate and evolve even after the publication of authentic photographs.
- The origin of many fakes was traced to specific online accounts focused on AI art.
