Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Photograph shows Arvind Kejriwal with Elon Musk.
Fact
Image found to be AI generated.
Ahead of the Delhi Elections, a photograph purportedly showing AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal with Elon Musk has surfaced on social media platforms, with users hailing their alleged recent meet.
Such posts can be seen here and here.
Also Read: Pankaj Tripathi’s UPI Ad Campaign Manipulated To Target The BJP Ahead Of Delhi Polls
While the Election commission is yet to announce the dates of Delhi assembly polls, which are expected to be held in early 2025, multiple parties have started releasing the list of candidates. The incumbent AAP recently held a ‘Revdi Par Charcha’ campaign, and promised six guarantees to the citizens including free electricity.
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “Elon Musk” and “Arvind Kejriwal” on Google did not yield credible reports on any such meeting between the two. On carefully analysing the viral image, we noticed abnormalities in Musk’s hand, raising our doubts about its authenticity.
We then verified the image using multiple AI-detection platforms that concluded a high probability of the purported photograph of Arvind Kejriwal with Elon Musk being AI generated.
TrueMedia’s analysis found “substantial evidence of manipulation” in the image. Website ‘Is It AI?’ calculated a 81% probability of the photograph being AI generated, and Hive AI found 99.4% likelihood that the image contains “AI-generated or deepfake content.”
We also noticed the watermark of “@RisingPiku” at the bottom of the image.
Taking a clue, we looked up the same on Google and found an X handle with the same name. Its bio stated, “AI Enthusiast 🧑💻| X Content Creator | Stock Market | The first person to use AI in Political Campaigns|”
We scanned through the profile, and found that the same photograph was posted on December 13, 2024 with the caption, “BREAKING – Elon lands in India early this morning to meet @ArvindKejriwal Kejriwal..Discussions are set on Delhi’s transformative education and healthcare reforms, with plans to adapt these policies in the US and discuss them with Trump. Kejriwal personally welcomes him at the airport…”
Notably, X user @RisingPiku pointed out multiple times in the comment section that the image was in fact AI generated.
We spotted another AI generated photograph showing Musk shaking hands with Kejriwal posted by the user.
On further skimming through the account, we found multiple pro-AAP posts such as this, this and this. The account also featured AI-generated images of PM Modi and US President-Elect Donald Trump endorsing the ‘Fir Layenge Kejriwal’ slogan.
Indian Elections & AI-Misinformation
With multiple assemblies, and the Lok Sabha elections, politically charged misinformation widely mushroomed on social media in the outgoing year. We also debunked multiple instances of misleading content that were powered by the AI tools.
For instance, on the eve of the Maharashtra Assembly Polls AI-generated audio clips of NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule went viral online as an “evidence” of her involvement in an alleged ‘Bitcoin scam.’
Deepfake videos of Bollywood actors Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh endorsing the Congress, and criticising the Prime Minister were widely shared online in the run up to the General Elections.
Earlier in April, a deepfake video of Asaduddin Owaisi purportedly showing the AIMIM leader chanting Hindu prayers had also surfaced online.
Conclusion
Hence, the photograph of AAP chief and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal with Elon Musk was found to be AI generated.
Result: Altered Photo
Sources
TrueMedia Website
Is It AI? Website
Hive Website
X Account Of @RisingPiku
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
