Video of FM Sitharaman promising ₹12 lakh/month from ₹21,000 investment is AI altered: Govt
The Government of India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check has flagged a video showing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman promoting an investment platform and promising ₹12 lakh per month returns from a ₹21,000 investment. However, the government has called the video “fake” and revealed that it has been altered using AI technology.
The video, which has been widely shared on social media, appears to show Finance Minister Sitharaman addressing a crowd and promising that an investment of ₹21,000 would yield returns of ₹12 lakh per month. The video also claims that this scheme has been launched and endorsed by the Finance Minister and the Government of India.
However, the PIB Fact Check has debunked the video, stating that no such scheme has been launched or endorsed by the Finance Minister or the Government of India. The fact-checking team has concluded that the video has been altered using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to make it look like the Finance Minister is promoting the scheme.
This is not the first time that fake videos have been created using AI technology to manipulate public opinion. In recent years, there have been several instances where deepfake videos have been used to spread misinformation and propaganda. Deepfakes are a type of AI-generated content that uses machine learning algorithms to create realistic videos or audio that appear to show someone saying or doing something that they did not actually say or do.
In this case, the PIB Fact Check has identified several discrepancies in the video that suggest it has been altered. For example, the video appears to have been shot in a studio setting, but the background and lighting are inconsistent with the Finance Minister’s usual public appearances. Additionally, the video’s audio and video quality are not consistent with official government videos.
The PIB Fact Check has also confirmed that the Finance Minister has not held any meetings or events where she has promoted such a scheme. The government has also issued a statement denying the authenticity of the video and warning citizens against falling prey to such fake propaganda.
This incident is a reminder of the importance of verifying information before sharing it on social media. With the rise of AI-generated content, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and fake news. It is essential for citizens to be vigilant and skeptical of information that appears too good to be true or seems to be promoting a scheme that promises unusually high returns.
The government’s swift action in flagging the video as fake and debunking the scheme is a welcome move. It sets a good example for other governments and institutions to follow in addressing the growing problem of misinformation and disinformation.
In conclusion, the video of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman promising ₹12 lakh/month returns from a ₹21,000 investment is a fake and has been altered using AI technology. The government has denied the authenticity of the video and warned citizens against falling prey to such fake propaganda. It is essential for citizens to be vigilant and verify information before sharing it on social media to prevent the spread of misinformation.
