AI-generated images of stranded elephants circulate in Myanmar after Typhoon Yagi

Screenshot of the image posted in the "Lightroom Editing" Facebook group, taken on September 24, 2024

Senevirathne, who regularly uploads AI-generated content and describes himself as a digital creator, confirmed to AFP that he created the image using AI technology.

Another reverse image search on Google led to the second photo uploaded by Tatarat Trainarong (Earl) in a Thai-based Facebook group dedicated to AI content on March 23, 2024 (archived link).

"CCTV News has brought you some weird images caught on camera – from a dog who lost its temper because the monk fed him late to an inexplicable mystery," read the caption in Thai language.

The post's author, Tatarat Trainarong, confirmed with AFP on September 23, 2024 that he used the generative AI program Dall-E 3 to create the images published in the post.

Signs of manipulation

Furthermore, visual clues in the images indicate that the images were created with AI.

In the first photo, the jeep's windscreen and number plate were blurred, and the "Yala National Park" watermark at the bottom-right corner is misspelt.

In the second photo, the vehicle's light source was not aligned with the headlights while the elephant did not appear in a natural balancing posture on the tree.

In addition, in the bottom-right corner of the photo, there was a watermark with the creator's name, Tatarat Trainarong.

Below is a screenshot of the AI-generated images, with visual inconsistencies highlighted by AFP:

Fabricated images are best ascertained by identifying visual inconsistencies, according to AFP's guide to spotting AI-generated images.

AFP previously debunked the same image shared in Sri Lanka here.