A.I. Videos Distort Damage From Iranian Strikes

On Tuesday, ex users shared this video claiming to show Iranian missiles striking Tel Aviv. One post had more than 20 million views, but it isn't real. While some strikes did cause damage, many of Iran's missile attacks on Tel Aviv have been intercepted, and the explosions we're seeing here are AI generated. From distorted cars to a skyline that doesn't match Tel Aviv, the evidence is in the details. It's just one example of how fake visuals enhancing destruction or exaggerating the severity of attacks are fueling confusion about the war's impact in the Middle East. And with AI chatbot Grock claiming that some of the AI videos are real when asked by ex users, the line between what's fake and what's not is even blurriier. This photo shows Iran striking a military base at Herbiel International Airport in Iraq. We verified the image which shows a column of gray smoke and flames rising. But this AI generated video circulated online the next day, transforming the smoke into fiery explosions with added fireworks lighting up the sky. Over the weekend, Iran launched missiles and drones across the Gulf that caused some damage to Dubai International Airport and hit several hotels. But this video, which claims to show a direct hit on the Burj Khalifa, also located in Dubai, is AI generated. There has been no confirmed damage to the skyscraper. In Manama, Bahrain, Iran struck and damaged several residential buildings. Footage filmed at the scene shows multiple floors engulfed in flames. But this video supposedly showing a high-rise building in Bahrain on fire and smoking was made by AI. Again, the cars are seen here merging into one another. X began adding manipulated media labels to some of these AI videos, but many still remain unlabeled on the platform. X also said users who don't label AI conflict videos will be suspended from its revenue sharing program.

After Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, A.I.-generated imagery claiming to show massive explosions or exaggerated destruction at or near targeted sites have been spreading on social media. Video by By Arijeta Lajka, Caroline Kim and Aaron Byrd/The New York Times Subscribe: http://bit.ly/U8Ys7n More from The New York Times Video: http://nytimes.com/video ---------- Whether it's reporting on conflicts abroad and political divisions at home, or covering the latest style trends and scientific developments, New York Times video journalists provide a revealing and unforgettable view of the world. It's all the news that's fit to watch.