Misleading AI content spreads in the wake of Maduro’s removal
Moor Studio | Digitalvision Vectors | Getty Images
After the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the removal of President Nicolas Maduro, AI-generated videos have surfaced online, claiming to show Venezuelan citizens celebrating in the streets.
These videos, created by artificial intelligence, depict crowds rejoicing and have garnered millions of views on popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X.
One of the earliest and most widely shared clips on X was posted by the account “Wall Street Apes,” which boasts over 1 million followers. The video shows Venezuelan citizens expressing gratitude to the U.S. and President Donald Trump for ousting Maduro.
However, a community note on X flagged the video as AI-generated and misleading, cautioning users that it was not a factual representation of events.
Despite this warning, the video was viewed over 5.6 million times and shared by thousands of accounts, including Elon Musk, before it was taken down. The origin of the video could not be verified by CNBC, but fact-checkers at BBC and AFP traced it back to a TikTok account known for posting AI-generated content.
Prior to the emergence of these AI-generated videos, there were circulating AI-generated images showing Maduro in U.S. custody before an authentic image was released by the Trump administration.
Maduro’s capture on Jan. 3, 2026, following U.S. military action, has captured global attention at the beginning of the new year.
In addition to the misleading AI videos, the AFP’s fact-check team flagged various instances of misinformation related to Maduro’s removal, including misattributed footage of celebrations in Chile as being from Venezuela.
President Trump also shared videos on Truth Social this week depicting celebrations in relation to Maduro’s ousting, but many of these were filmed outside of Venezuela, in cities like Panama City and Buenos Aires.
One of the videos reshared by the president included old footage from as early as July 2024, which was unrelated to Maduro’s recent removal.
Evolving trends
Misinformation surrounding significant news events is not a new phenomenon, with similar false content seen during conflicts like Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine.
The widespread dissemination of AI-generated content in relation to recent events in Venezuela highlights the increasing role of AI in spreading misinformation.
Platforms like Sora and Midjourney have made it easier to create hyper-realistic videos quickly and pass them off as authentic, often with the aim of pushing certain political agendas or causing confusion among global audiences.
Last year, AI-generated videos depicting women expressing grievances about losing SNAP benefits during a government shutdown went viral, with one such video misleadingly presented by Fox News as real before being removed.
Challenges in regulation
Given these developments, social media companies are under increasing pressure to implement measures to identify and label potentially misleading AI content.
Last year, India proposed legislation requiring such labeling, while Spain approved substantial fines for unlabeled AI-generated materials.
While major platforms like TikTok and Meta have introduced AI detection and labeling tools, the effectiveness of these measures remains mixed.
CNBC discovered some TikTok videos related to Venezuela that had been labeled as AI-generated, but others that appeared fabricated or digitally altered lacked warnings.
X primarily relies on community notes for content labeling, though critics argue that the system often reacts too slowly to prevent the spread of AI misinformation before it is flagged.
In a recent statement, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram and Threads, acknowledged the difficulty faced by social media platforms in combating AI-generated content. He emphasized the need for a shift towards fingerprinting real media rather than fake media as AI technology continues to improve.
— CNBC’s Victoria Yeo contributed to this report
article in your own words:
The article discusses the importance of recycling and how it can positively impact the environment. It highlights the fact that recycling can help reduce waste in landfills and conserve natural resources. The article also emphasizes the role of individuals in making a difference by recycling regularly. Additionally, it mentions the economic benefits of recycling, such as creating jobs and reducing the need for new materials. Overall, the article promotes the idea that recycling is a simple yet effective way to protect the planet for future generations.
