Unmasking Venezuela Victory Videos and AI-Generated Pictures of Maduro.
Computer-created images purporting to portray Nicolás Maduro in custody following his capture by the United States have garnered tens of millions of views across the internet.
The Way Fake Pictures of Maduro Appeared Soon After
Initial fabricated synthetic picture apparently displaying him being escorted off a aircraft surfaced within hours. This image was not shared any official American sources; it was instead uploaded on X by an account describing itself as an “enthusiast of AI-generated art”.
Verification involved Google’s SynthID, confirming the picture was generated or edited with AI tools.
Further AI-generated visuals began to spread in the following period, purporting to present additional perspectives of Maduro under guard. Discernible watermarks on these pictures show they were posted by an Instagram profile named ultravfx.
AI analysis says all of these pictures were also generated or edited Google AI.
Authentic Image Released but Fakes Continued
The former US president released the first real photo of Maduro handcuffed aboard the USS Iwo Jima on Saturday morning. But even after the authentic image was made public, synthetic pictures continued to spread but were modified to incorporate the grey athletic wear seen on Maduro.
Online investigation reveal the new fake images were initially shared on TikTok by a graphic design profile. Again, analysis found the new graphics were produced with Google AI.
Key Points:
- Deepfakes gained traction after the news of Maduro's capture.
- The first fake image was shared within hours on platform X.
- Tools like AI-watermark detectors helped to confirm the images as inauthentic.
- Fake images continued to circulate and evolve despite the publication of authentic images.
- The origin of many fakes was traced to specific online profiles dedicated to AI art.
