People participate in anti-tax demonstrations in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, June 25, 2024.
In the digital age, mass protests across the globe have been significantly influenced by two powerful forces: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media.
The Case of Pakistan: AI-Generated Misinformation in Protests
-
The recent [2024] protests in Pakistan, triggered by the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, offer a stark example of how AI and social media can exacerbate violence. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party organised large demonstrations, demanding his release.
-
However, the protests quickly spiralled into violence, with protesters clashing with police and military forces in the capital, Islamabad. During the chaos, a range of AI-generated images were circulated online, purporting to show the horrific aftermaths of the protests, including streets allegedly covered in blood.
-
One of the most widely shared AI-generated images depicted Jinnah Avenue in Islamabad, supposedly showing bloodstains covering the road after violent clashes. However, fact-checkers quickly debunked the image, revealing that it was not only inaccurate but also generated by AI.
-
Details such as the abnormal positioning of shadows, misplaced buildings, and artificial lighting indicated the image was computer-generated. Similar AI-manipulated images appeared across various platforms, with claims that up to 300 people had been killed during the protests, though official reports indicated much lower figures.
-
These AI images, presented without context or verification, fueled the spread of disinformation, inciting further violence and inflaming tensions between the protesters and the government.
-
AI-generated visuals, often shared rapidly via platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, have the potential to create a distorted sense of reality. In this case, they contributed to a narrative of widespread carnage and governmental oppression that was not entirely grounded in truth.
-
This manipulation of visual media has become a key tool in modern protest movements, where the digital landscape is as crucial as the physical one in shaping public perception.
