Unmasking Venezuelan Victory Videos and AI-Generated Pictures of Maduro.
Computer-created graphics purporting to show Venezuela's president detained following his apprehension by the American authorities have amassed tens of millions of views online.
How AI Images of Maduro Emerged Rapidly
The first fabricated synthetic picture apparently showing him taken off a plane circulated shortly after. This image was absent from any verified government accounts; rather, it was uploaded on the platform X by an profile describing itself as an “AI video art enthusiast”.
Our analysis used the SynthID tool, determining the picture was produced or modified with AI tools.
Further synthetic images began to spread in the ensuing period, appearing to show more angles of the leader in custody. Noticeable logos on the graphics show they originated from an Instagram profile called ultravfx.
SynthID confirms these additional pictures were also generated or edited generative models.
Real Photo Posted but Fabrications Continued
The former US president released the first real photo of Nicolás Maduro in handcuffs aboard the US Navy ship on Saturday morning. But even after this confirmation was published, AI-generated pictures continued to spread but were modified to include the grey tracksuit worn by Maduro.
Digital forensics reveal these altered fabrications were originally uploaded on TikTok by a digital art profile. Again, SynthID found these further images were created or altered Google AI.
Main Takeaways:
- AI-generated content spread rapidly after the news of Maduro's capture.
- The first fake picture appeared very quickly on social media.
- Tools like AI-watermark detectors helped to identify the pictures as synthetic.
- Fabrications continued to circulate and be updated despite the publication of real photographs.
- The origin of many fabricated images was linked to social media accounts focused on graphic design.
