Debunking Venezuelan Victory Videos and AI-Generated Pictures of Maduro.
Computer-created pictures purporting to depict Nicolás Maduro in custody following his apprehension by the US have amassed countless of views across the internet.
The Way Fake Pictures of the President Surfaced Within Hours
The first inauthentic AI image apparently showing him being escorted off a aircraft emerged within hours. The graphic was not shared any official American sources; rather, it was posted on X by an account describing itself as an “enthusiast of AI-generated art”.
Our analysis used the SynthID tool, confirming the picture was produced or modified with Google AI.
Further synthetic images started circulating in the following hours, purporting to present different views of Maduro in custody. Discernible identifying marks on the graphics show they originated from an Instagram account called ultravfx.
SynthID indicates the further pictures were also generated or edited AI technology.
Real Photo Released but Fakes Continued
Donald Trump posted the initial authentic image of Maduro restrained aboard the USS Iwo Jima on Saturday morning. But even after this confirmation was published, synthetic images kept circulating but were modified to include the grey tracksuit worn by Maduro.
Digital forensics show the new fake images were initially shared on the video platform by a graphic design profile. Similarly, analysis says these further images were created or altered Google AI.
Main Takeaways:
- Deepfakes circulated quickly following the announcement of the president's apprehension.
- The first fake picture appeared very quickly on social media.
- Tools like Google’s SynthID were used to confirm the images as synthetic.
- Fake images persisted to circulate and be updated even after the release of real images.
- The origin of many fakes was traced to specific online profiles dedicated to AI art.
