AI-generated 'buried boy' image misused to exploit Xizang earthquake, suspect detained

On Jan. 7, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County in Xizang, China, drawing widespread concern from netizens. Amid the tragedy, a series of viral images depicting a "young boy buried under rubble" circulated on social media, accompanied by hashtags and captions referencing the Shigatse earthquake. The posts garnered tens of thousands of shares, comments, and likes.

Authorities quickly identified the images as AI-generated, citing visible signs of digital manipulation. An investigation revealed that the original visuals were created using AI tools and had been shared online in a short video on Nov. 18, 2024, without any connection to the earthquake and clearly labeled as AI-generated content.

Further investigation traced the misleading posts to a netizen from Qinghai Province, who deliberately associated the AI-generated images with the Shigatse earthquake to gain attention. The posts fabricated a false narrative, causing confusion and misleading the public. The individual responsible has been placed under administrative detention by local public security authorities.

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