Debunking Venezuela Victory Videos and AI-Generated Pictures of Nicolรกs Maduro.
Synthetic pictures purporting to show Venezuela's president under arrest after his apprehension by the US have amassed many millions of impressions online.
The Way AI Images of the President Surfaced Rapidly
The first fabricated AI image apparently showing him led off a aircraft surfaced a brief time later. This image was not shared any official US channels; it was instead uploaded on the platform X by an account purporting to be an โAI video art enthusiastโ.
Our analysis used an AI-watermark detector, which found the image was generated or edited with generative AI.
Further AI-generated visuals started circulating in the following period, seemingly depicting different views of the leader under guard. Noticeable watermarks on these pictures show they were posted by an Instagram profile named ultravfx.
AI analysis says all of these images were similarly produced using Google AI.
Authentic Image Released but Fabrications Continued
Donald Trump posted the initial authentic image of Nicolรกs Maduro in handcuffs aboard the USS Iwo Jima on that morning. However, despite this real photo was published, synthetic images kept circulating but were modified to incorporate the gray sweatsuit worn by Maduro.
Digital forensics show these altered fabrications were originally uploaded on the video platform by a digital art account. Similarly, SynthID confirms these further images were created or altered Google AI.
Key Points:
- Deepfakes spread rapidly following the announcement of Maduro's capture.
- The initial fabricated picture was shared within hours on social media.
- Detection software like Googleโs SynthID were used to verify the pictures as AI-generated.
- Fabrications continued to circulate and be updated even after the publication of authentic photographs.
- The origin of several fabricated images was linked to social media profiles focused on graphic design.
