AI-powered disinformation spreads online amid LA protests

Los Angeles, June 16: Since June 6, Los Angeles has been rocked by protests and clashes with law enforcement, after more than 40 migrants were arrested downtown by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The events have escalated into a confrontation between Donald Trump and the California leaders after the US President deployed National Guard troops against protestors on June 7, overriding the objections of California Governor Gavin Newsom.

In this context, several internet users have circulated misleading or erroneous content using artificial intelligence tools.

On June 9, an alleged National Guard soldier, who identified himself as Bob, posted a selfie video on TikTok that garnered more than 770,000 views.

The “soldier” is seen smiling and offering a “behind-the-scenes” look at troops preparing for deployment to “gas” protesters. 

The second scene of the video features “Bob” during the clashes, decrying the throwing of “oil-filled balloons” at law enforcement.

It turns out that the video is fake. There are several indications that it was generated using artificial intelligence. 

For instance, in the video’s first scene, one of the badges that should display the soldier's rank shows nonsensical characters. AI still struggles with creating coherent text. 

Another inconsistency is a strangely placed traffic light on the left side of the image, which is partially obscuring another traffic light.

We found another anomaly in the video’s second scene. A police car displays an incorrect acronym, LAPC. The Los Angeles Police Department’s actual acronym is LAPD.

The TikTok account that posted the video, “maybenotquitereal”, is a parody. Its bio states that the user produces "satirical" content.

However, this disclaimer isn't visible in the video featuring the supposed National Guard soldier. 

As seen in the comments, many users believe the video is genuine. Some urge "Bob" to "stay safe" and thank him for “protecting the country”, while another pro-protester online user criticises him for "hurting the citizens" he was supposed to "protect".

On June 9, California Governor Gavin Newsom posted photos on social media showing National Guard soldiers seemingly asleep on the ground. 

"You sent your troops here without fuel, food, water or a place to sleep. Here they are — being forced to sleep on the floor, piled on top of one another. If anyone is treating our troops disrespectfully, it is you, Donald Trump,” Newsom wrote.

However, a user quickly challenged Newsom's claim in the comments, asking, "Why are you posting fake news?" 

The user backed up this assertion with a screenshot of an image verification performed by ChatGPT. According to the AI, the photograph was taken on August 19, 2021, at Hamid Karzai Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, during the fall of the Afghan capital to the Taliban. 

The image was reportedly part of a series titled "Afghanistan Evacuation [Image 1 of 3]," published on Dvids, a US military image bank. (AFP)