Fact Check: AI-generated image viral as modified tractors being used in farmers' protests

As the second wave of the farmers’ protest began, a photo of vehicles that appeared to be a cross between tractors and tanks was widely shared online. Allegedly, the marching farmers were using these modified tractors in the protests.Â

An X user wrote while sharing the photo: “Just before the election, they want to create hysteria and unrest. Hope this time govt derails their sinister plot by taking stern action against these paid protests which are part of the toolkit.” The archive of such a post can be seen here.Â

India Today Fact Check found that this image is AI-generated.Â

OUR PROBE

Many people shared the screenshot of a February 11 news report titled “Tractors modified to remove barricades, resist tear gas shells will lead Delhi Chalo march by Punjab farmers, intelligence agencies alert police”. This screenshot contained the viral image, and the article was credited to ANI.

Using this, we ran a keyword search and found that the viral image was used in an OpIndia report from February 11 with the same headline. The article, however, stated that the image was AI-generated.Â

We also found this report on ANI’s website. However, it was published here with a different image. We did not find any report or social media post by ANI which featured the viral image.

LOOKING AT THE PHOTO

A close look at the viral photo reveals several clues pointing to it being AI-generated. The colour and texture of the road appear odd. The vehicles on the other side of the road look misshapen. And in one of the tractors, the tracks appear to be wrong.Â

We also ran this image through two detection tools — Sensity AI and Is it AI. Both tools declared the viral image was AI-generated.Â

It’s noteworthy, however, that farmers are reportedly using modified tractors in these protests. “Tractors have been fitted with hydraulic tools to remove barricades, fire-resistant hard-shell trailers being readied to fight tear gas shells. They have also performed drills with these modified vehicles,” the news agency ANI quoted a central intelligence agency official as saying.

To sum it up, an AI-generated image of modified tractors is being falsely shared as real. Â

Watch Live TV in English

Watch Live TV in Hindi