Unmasking Venezuelan Victory Footage and AI Images of Maduro.
Computer-created graphics purporting to portray Venezuela's president detained following his apprehension by the United States have garnered countless of views across the internet.
How Fake Pictures of Maduro Appeared Rapidly
The first fabricated synthetic picture seemingly showing him led off a plane circulated shortly after. The picture was absent from any official US channels; rather, it was posted on X by an account describing itself as an “AI video art enthusiast”.
Our analysis used an AI-watermark detector, which found the picture was created or altered with generative AI.
Further AI-generated images were disseminated in the ensuing period, appearing to show additional perspectives of Maduro detained. Discernible watermarks on these images indicate they were posted by an Instagram profile named ultravfx.
AI analysis indicates these additional images were likewise generated or edited generative models.
Real Photo Released but Fakes Continued
Donald Trump released the first real photo of Nicolás Maduro in handcuffs aboard the US Navy ship on that morning. Yet following this real photo was made public, AI-generated images continued to spread but were modified to show the grey athletic wear seen on Maduro.
Digital forensics show these updated fakes were first posted on TikTok by a digital art account. Once again, the AI-watermark detector says these subsequent pictures were created or altered AI tools.
Key Points:
- Synthetic media spread rapidly following the events of the president's apprehension.
- The initial fabricated image was shared very quickly on platform X.
- Tools like AI-watermark detectors were used to verify the images as synthetic.
- Fabrications persisted to circulate and evolve despite the publication of real photographs.
- The source of many fabricated images was linked to specific online profiles focused on AI art.
