2024 in Review: How Telugupost debunked surging AI misinformation this year?
As we welcome the new year 2025, here’s a look back at some of the most viral AI-generated claims we debunked across English, Odia, Telugu and Urdu languages we debunked in 2024
The rise of artificial intelligence has not only revolutionized the way we work but it also made it easier for common people to use or abuse the emerging technologies. These AI tools help us generate hyper-realistic images, videos, audio clips, and text with new levels of sophistication.
This year, Telugupost witnessed an unprecedented surge in the malicious use of AI-generated images and videos on various social media platforms. Several AI generated images and videos surfaced on social media targeting political figures, business icons and religious communities stoking communal tensions.
At Telugupost, we deployed sophisticated AI tools for detection, analysis, and debunked the viral claims while staying ahead of AI-generated misinformation. As we welcome the new year 2025, here’s a look back at some of the most viral AI-generated claims across English, Odia, Telugu and Urdu languages we debunked in 2024:
Most viral AI fact checks in English:
The passing year witnessed the grandest wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. The Ambani family’s pre-wedding and wedding celebrations spread across several months garnered global attention largely for its sheer size and lavishness. Ahead of their wedding, a post went viral on social media claiming Reliance Jio increased prices on several of its prepaid plans so the bride and groom could wear clothes made of gold. When we analyzed the viral image using AI detection tools, we found that the image was created with an AI software.
A recent political crisis in Bangladesh continues to fuel misinformation on social media. A few weeks after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's unceremonious exit from power and the country, parts of the country were hit by torrential rains and flash floods which claimed dozens of lives. Amidst the natural disaster, several images flood the social media depicting the humanitarian crisis in the neighbouring country. One of the viral photos widely shared on social media platforms illustrated a pregnant woman standing in floodwaters with what appears to be dead bodies floating in it. The analysis of the viral image revealed the ‘heartbreaking’ image was generated with an AI image generator tool.
Another image which went super viral on social media with the claim that an opium bird can kill people instantly. The viral image depicted a humanoid avian creature and it was reportedly found in Antarctica. However, investigation revealed that the weird creature is not a real bird but an image created with a combination of AI tools and CGI technology.
Most viral AI fact checks in Odia:
Several incidents related to train derailment including mishaps and sabotage were reported in 2023. These news reports generated widespread concern among the people, especially netizens who blamed a particular community behind it. Meanwhile, an image showing a man with a Muslim attire and skull cap placing a huge boulder on the railway tracks went quickly viral on various social media platforms. However, our investigation uncovered that the viral image(s) was generated using an AI tool.
This year Ratan Tata, Chairperson of Tata Group, passed away at the age of 86 after a brief illness. The nation mourned the loss of this industrialist and philanthropist. As the news of his demise was trending on social media, a black and white photo claiming to show a young Ratan Tata cycling was widely shared by netizens. A detailed investigation and analysis of the viral image using AI detection tools revealed that it was made using an AI technology.
A video of a jumbo elephant stuck on a narrow cliff being rescued by the US police using a massive crane quickly went viral on social media. However, the detailed analysis of the video content and the use of AI detection tools gave away that it was an AI generated video.
Most viral AI fact checks in Urdu:
In the run up to 2024 US presidential elections, social media was abuzz with news about the two candidates Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald J. Trump. The supporters of each party were sharing content and views about the rival party. A viral image of Democrat candidate Kamala Harris posing with a convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in beachwear was widely shared on various social media platforms. A detailed investigation showed that the viral image was generated using an AI tool.
Amidst the uproar over Muslim women’s burqa, an image showing a Lucknow bride dressed in yellow bikini cheerfully exchanging garlands with her groom was widely shared on social media platforms claiming that those who propose burqa ban are happy with this outfit. Investigations revealed that the viral image is an AI generated creation and not a real-life wedding scenario.
