#FactCheck - AI Artwork Misattributed: Mahendra Singh Dhoni Sand Sculptures Exposed as AI-Generated
Executive Summary:
A recent claim going around on social media that a child created sand sculptures of cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has been proven false by the CyberPeace Research Team. The team discovered that the images were actually produced using an AI tool. Evident from the unusual details like extra fingers and unnatural characteristics in the sculptures, the Research Team discerned the likelihood of artificial creation. This suspicion was further substantiated by AI detection tools. This incident underscores the need to fact-check information before posting, as misinformation can quickly go viral on social media. It is advised everyone to carefully assess content to stop the spread of false information.
Claims:
The claim is that the photographs published on social media show sand sculptures of cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni made by a child.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the posts, we carefully examined the images. The collage of 4 pictures has many anomalies which are the clear sign of AI generated images.
In the first image the left hand of the sand sculpture has 6 fingers and in the word INDIA, ‘A’ is not properly aligned i.e not in the same line as other letters. In the second image, the finger of the boy is missing and the sand sculpture has 4 fingers in its front foot and has 3 legs. In the third image the slipper of the boy is not visible whereas some part of the slipper is visible, and in the fourth image the hand of the boy is not looking like a hand. These are some of the major discrepancies clearly visible in the images.
We then checked using an AI Image detection tool named ‘Hive’ image detection, Hive detected the image as 100.0% AI generated.
We then checked it in another AI image detection named ContentAtScale AI image detection, and it found to be 98% AI generated.
From this we concluded that the Image is AI generated and has no connection with the claim made in the viral social media posts. We have also previously debunked AI Generated artwork of sand sculpture of Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli which had the same types of anomalies as those seen in this case.
Conclusion:
Taking into consideration the distortions spotted in the images and the result of AI detection tools, it can be concluded that the claim of the pictures representing the child's sand sculptures of cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni is false. The pictures are created with Artificial Intelligence. It is important to check and authenticate the content before posting it to social media websites.
- Claim: The frame of pictures shared on social media contains child's sand sculptures of cricket player Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
- Claimed on: X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube
- Fact Check: Fake & Misleading
Related Blogs
Executive Summary:
A video circulating on social media falsely claims that India’s Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, has endorsed an investment platform promising unusually high returns. Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the video is a deepfake—digitally manipulated using artificial intelligence. The Finance Minister has made no such endorsement through any official platform. This incident highlights a concerning trend of scammers using AI-generated videos to create misleading and seemingly legitimate advertisements to deceive the public.
Claim:
A viral video falsely claims that the Finance Minister of India Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is endorsing an investment platform, promoting it as a secure and highly profitable scheme for Indian citizens. The video alleges that individuals can start with an investment of ₹22,000 and earn up to ₹25 lakh per month as guaranteed daily income.
Fact check:
By doing a reverse image search from the key frames of the viral fake video we found an original YouTube clip of the Finance Minister of India delivering a speech on the webinar regarding 'Regulatory, Investment and EODB reforms'. Upon further research we have not found anything related to the viral investment scheme in the whole video.
The manipulated video has had an AI-generated voice/audio and scripted text injected into it to make it appear as if she has approved an investment platform.
The key to deepfakes is that they seem relatively realistic in their facial movement; however, if you look closely, you can see that there are mismatched lip-syncing and visual transitions that are out of the ordinary, and the results prove our point.
Also, there doesn't appear to be any acknowledgment of any such endorsement from a legitimate government website or a credible news outlet. This video is a fabricated piece of misinformation to attempt to scam the viewers by leveraging the image of a trusted public figure.
Conclusion:
The viral video showing the Finance Minister of India, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman promoting an investment platform is fake and AI-generated. This is a clear case of deepfake misuse aimed at misleading the public and luring individuals into fraudulent schemes. Citizens are advised to exercise caution, verify any such claims through official government channels, and refrain from clicking on unknown investment links circulating on social media.
- Claim: Nirmala Sitharaman promoted an investment app in a viral video.
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
.webp)
Introduction
YouTube is testing a new feature called ‘Notes,’ which allows users to add community-sourced context to videos. The feature allows users to clarify if a video is a parody or if it is misrepresenting information. The feature builds on existing features to provide helpful content alongside videos. Currently under testing, the feature will be available to a limited number of eligible contributors who will be invited to write notes on videos. These notes will appear publicly under a video if they are found to be broadly helpful. Viewers will be able to rate notes into three categories: ‘Helpful,’ ‘Somewhat helpful,’ or ‘Unhelpful’. Based on the ratings, YouTube will determine which notes are published. The feature will first be rolled out on mobile devices in the U.S. in English. The Google-owned platform will look at ways to improve the feature over time, including whether it makes sense to expand it to other markets.
YouTube To Roll Out The New ‘Notes’ Feature
YouTube is testing an experimental feature that allows users to add notes to provide relevant, timely, and easy-to-understand context for videos. This initiative builds on previous products that display helpful information alongside videos, such as information panels and disclosure requirements when content is altered or synthetic. YouTube in its blog clarified that the pilot will be available on mobiles in the U.S. and in the English language, to start with. During this test phase, viewers, participants, and creators are invited to give feedback on the quality of the notes.
YouTube further stated in its blog that a limited number of eligible contributors will be invited via email or Creator Studio notifications to write notes so that they can test the feature and add value to the system before the organisation decides on next steps and whether or not to expand the feature. Eligibility criteria include having an active YouTube channel in good standing with Yotube’s Community Guidelines.
Viewers in the U.S. will start seeing notes on videos in the coming weeks and months. In this initial pilot, third-party evaluators will rate the helpfulness of notes, which will help train the platform’s systems. As the pilot moves forward, contributors themselves will rate notes as well.
Notes will appear publicly under a video if they are found to be broadly helpful. People will be asked whether they think a note is helpful, somewhat helpful, or unhelpful and the reasons for the same. For example, if a note is marked as ‘Helpful,’ the evaluator will have the opportunity to specify if it is so because it cites high-quality sources or is written clearly and neutrally. A bridging-based algorithm will be used to consider these ratings and determine what notes are published. YouTube is excited to explore new ways to make context-setting even more relevant, dynamic, and unique to the videos we are watching, at scale, across the huge variety of content on YouTube.
CyberPeace Analysis: How Can Notes Help Counter Misinformation
The potential effectiveness of countering misinformation on YouTube using the proposed ‘Notes’ feature is significant. Enabling contributors to include notes on videos can offer relevant and accurate context to clarify any misleading or false information in the video. These notes can aid in enhancing viewers' comprehension of the content and detecting misinformation. The participation from users to rate the added notes as helpful, somewhat helpful, and unhelpful adds a heightened layer of transparency and public participation in identifying the accuracy of the content.
As YouTube intends to gather feedback from its various stakeholders to improve the feature over time, one can look forward to improved policy and practical over time: the feedback mechanism will allow for continuous refinement of the feature, ensuring it effectively addresses misinformation. The platform employs algorithms to identify helpful notes that cater to a broad audience across different perspectives. This helps showcase accurate information and combat misinformation.
Furthermore, along with the Notes feature, YouTube should explore and implement prebunking and debunking strategies on the platform by promoting educational content and empowering users to discern between fact and any misleading information.
Conclusion
The new feature, currently in the testing phase, aims to counter misinformation by providing context, enabling user feedback, leveraging algorithms, promoting transparency, and continuously improving information quality. Considering the diverse audience on the platform and high volumes of daily content consumption, it is important for both the platform operators and users to engage with factual, verifiable information. The fallout of misinformation on such a popular platform can be immense, and so, any mechanism or feature that can help counter the same must be developed to its full potential. Apart from this new Notes feature, YouTube has also implemented certain measures in the past to counter misinformation, such as providing authenticated sources to counter any election misinformation during the recent 2024 elections in India. These efforts are a welcome contribution to our shared responsibility as netizens to create a trustworthy, factual and truly-informational digital ecosystem.
References:
- https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/new-ways-to-offer-viewers-more-context/
- https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/youtube-tests-feature-that-will-let-users-add-context-to-videos/article68302933.ece
Introduction
Entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Global Education 2030 Agenda through the Sustainable Development Goal 4, UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning in collaboration with the Media and Information Literacy and Digital Competencies Unit has recently launched a Media and Information Literacy Course for Adult Educators. The course aligns with The Pact for The Future adopted at The United Nations Summit of the Future, September 2024 - asking for increased efforts towards media and information literacy from its member countries. The course is free for Adult Educators to access and is available until 31st May 2025.
The Course
According to a report by Statista, 67.5% of the global population uses the internet. Regardless of the age and background of the users, there is a general lack of understanding on how to spot misinformation, targeted hate, and navigating online environments in a manner that is secure and efficient. Since misinformation (largely spread online) is enabled by the lack of awareness, digital literacy becomes increasingly important. The course is designed keeping in mind that many active adult educators are yet to get an opportunity to hone their skills with regard to media and information through formal education. Self-paced, a total of 10 hours, this course covers basics such as concepts of misinformation and disinformation, artificial intelligence, and combating hate speech, and offers a certificate on completion.
CyberPeace Recommendations
As this course is free of cost, can be done in a remote capacity, and covers basics regarding digital literacy, all eligible are encouraged to take it up to familiarise themselves with such topics. However, awareness regarding the availability of this course, alongside who can avail of this opportunity can be further worked on so a larger number can avail its benefits.
CyberPeace Recommendations To Enhance Positive Impact
- Further Collaboration: As this course is open to adult educators, one can consider widening the scope through active engagement with Independent organisations and even Individual internet users who are willing to learn.
- Engagement with Educational Institutions: After launching a course, an interactive outreach programme and connecting with relevant stakeholders can prove to be beneficial. Since this course requires each individual adult educator to sign up to avail the course, partnering with educational universities, institutes, etc. is encouraged. In the Indian context, active involvement with training institutes such as DIET (District Institute of Education and Training), SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training), NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training), and Open Universities, etc. could be initiated, facilitating greater awareness and more participation.
- Engagement through NGOs: NGOs (focused on digital literacy) with a tie-up with UNESCO, can aid in implementing and encouraging awareness. A localised language approach option can be pondered upon for inclusion as well.
Conclusion
Though a long process, tackling misinformation through education is a method that deals with the issue at the source. A strong foundation in awareness and media literacy is imperative in the age of fake news, misinformation, and sensitive data being peddled online. UNESCO’s course launch garners attention as it comes from an international platform, is free of cost, truly understands the gravity of the situation, and calls for action in the field of education, encouraging others to do the same.
References
- https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/articles/media-and-information-literacy-course-adult-educators-launched
- https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/celebrating-global-media-and-information-literacy-week-2024
- https://www.unesco.org/en/node/559#:~:text=UNESCO%20believes%20that%20education%20is,must%20be%20matched%20by%20quality.
