Unmasking Venezuela Victory Videos and AI Images of Nicolás Maduro.
Computer-created pictures claiming to show Nicolás Maduro detained after his apprehension by the American authorities have amassed countless of views online.
How AI Images of Maduro Emerged Soon After
Initial inauthentic AI image apparently showing him taken off a plane emerged shortly after. The picture was absent from any authoritative American sources; it was instead published on X by an account purporting to be an “AI video art enthusiast”.
Our analysis used an AI-watermark detector, determining the image was created or altered with generative AI.
Additional AI-generated visuals began to spread in the following period, appearing to show different views of the leader in custody. Noticeable watermarks on the graphics show they came from an Instagram profile called ultravfx.
The detection tool says these additional images were similarly produced using Google AI.
Real Photo Released but Fabrications Continued
Donald Trump shared the genuine photograph of Maduro restrained aboard the USS Iwo Jima on Saturday morning. Yet following this real photo was made public, AI-generated pictures kept circulating but were altered to include the gray sweatsuit seen on Maduro.
Online investigation reveal the new fake images were first posted on the video platform by a graphic design profile. Similarly, analysis confirms these further images were created or altered generative artificial intelligence.
Key Points:
- Deepfakes spread rapidly following the events of Maduro's capture.
- The initial fabricated picture appeared on the same day on platform X.
- Detection software like Google’s SynthID helped to verify the pictures as synthetic.
- Fake images continued to spread and evolve even after the release of real images.
- The source of many fakes was traced to specific online accounts dedicated to AI art.
