In 2024, artificial intelligence played a significant role in shaping the digital landscape, with AI-generated images and videos spreading widely across social media platforms. This surge in AI-driven content coincided with several major global events that Misbar covered throughout the year, including the Israeli war on Gaza, the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict, protests in the United Kingdom, clashes in Syria, and the U.S. elections. These events created fertile ground for misinformation, as social media users on platforms such as X, Facebook, and TikTok circulated various claims, often accompanied by manipulated and AI-generated images and videos.
To address this wave of misleading content, we have curated a list of the 12 most widely circulated AI-generated images that gained traction on social media platforms in 2024. These images were selected not only for their reach but also due to the public's growing skepticism about their authenticity. Misbar conducted thorough fact-checks on each of these images, uncovering their origins and confirming that they were AI-generated rather than genuine depictions of events.
While these images can be incredibly realistic, their use in spreading false and misleading narratives highlights the necessity of media literacy and critical analysis. Misbar’s efforts aim to promote informed discourse by exposing the true nature of these fabricated visuals.
Below, Misbar presents the findings from these investigations, revealing how these images were crafted and the contexts in which they were shared. This list serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance when encountering viral content, especially during times of heightened social and political tension.
1
An Image of a Drone Delivering Relief to People Amid Andhra Pradesh Floods
Amid the floods in Andhra Pradesh in September 2024, an image allegedly showing drones delivering aid to stranded people was shared online. However, Misbar’s investigative team found a watermark that read 'Imagined with AI,' indicating it was generated by artificial intelligence.
2
An Image Depicting Attacks Near Beirut Airport
Social media users shared an image claiming to show the moment Israeli occupation planes launched intense airstrikes near Beirut International Airport. The image was posted on the Instagram account Eyes of Lebanon, which focuses on news related to Lebanon, after airstrikes near Beirut airport, titled "Intense Attacks Around Beirut Airport." The account confirmed in the description that the image "was generated using Ai depicting the real situation."
3
An Image of U.K. Police Bowing Their Heads Before a Muslim Group
Fake news and misinformation surged during the riots in the U.K. in August 2024. On the X platform, users shared a photo that falsely claimed to show U.K. police officers prostrating before a Muslim group. After testing the image with an AI image detector, Misbar’s team found that the photo likely contained AI-generated or deepfake content with 99.2% certainty.
4
An Image of a Prisoner Allegedly Found in Assad's Saydnaya Prison
Following the fall of the al-Assad regime, social media users widely circulated an image claiming to show a shocked prisoner from Saydnaya prison after opposition forces freed him from an underground cell. However, Misbar's team found that the image was captured from a TikTok video featuring an AI-generated scene.
5
A Photo Shows Ousted Syrian President Assad With TV Host Tucker Carlson
After Bashar al-Assad fled Syria to Moscow, social media users widely shared an image purporting to show Assad meeting with television host and political commentator Tucker Carlson, but several inconsistencies in the image confirm that it is AI-generated.
6
An Image Shows Hezbollah-Captured Israeli Soldiers
In October, a photo circulated on social media, claiming to show Hezbollah militants capturing four Israeli soldiers. This image received significant attention due to rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah along the Lebanese border. Misbar's team found that it was AI-generated for several reasons; the vests and other equipment seen in the image did not match typical military arrangements.
7
A Photo Shows Bono and Bob Geldof Holding the Israeli Flag
A photo went viral on X, claiming to show Bono and Bob Geldof, Irish rock stars, holding Israeli flags outside Israel’s embassy in Dublin, Ireland. Misbar’s team first analyzed the photo and found several inconsistencies, indicating that it was fake. The Israeli flag Bob Geldof is holding has two vertical blue stripes, while the true Israeli flag only has two horizontal blue stripes.
8
A Photo Shows Joe Biden Wearing Military Gear
Images of Joe Biden wearing military gear went viral. The images spread after the drone attack on the U.S. base in Jordan, which left three soldiers dead and dozens injured. Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be fake. The image displayed several elements confirming its AI-generated nature. Such images typically feature bizarre elements that expose their artificial origin, including mismatched tools and equipment, distortions in faces and hands, blurry backgrounds, and perfect lighting.
9
An Image of Donald Trump Resurfaces Post-Conviction
Social media users circulated an image claiming to show law enforcement officers arresting Donald Trump following a New York jury's verdict of guilt. Misbar's team found that the image was created using AI. A content analysis conducted using the "Hive Moderation" website indicated a 99% likelihood that the image was generated through artificial intelligence (AI).
10
A Photo of the Ramat David Base Attacked by Hezbollah
An image was widely shared on social media platforms, claiming to depict the first photo of Israel’s Ramat David airbase in occupied Palestine after being struck by Hezbollah. However, the image was not shared by any credible media outlet that reported on the strike at Ramat David, raising suspicions about its authenticity. After analyzing the photo, Misbar’s team concluded that the image was AI-generated.
11
An Image Shows the Head of Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital After Detention
After Israel released the head of Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital following a seven-month detention, an image circulated on social media claiming to show Mohammed Abu Salmiya back at work as a medic at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. The original publisher was identified as an account dedicated to creating AI-generated imagery, run by a visual creator named Islam Nour under the Instagram username “in.visualart.” The publisher also shared the image and clarified in the description that it had been created using AI programs.
12
An Image Shows Kamala Harris Supporters
An image of a stadium filled with people went viral on X, purporting to depict Kamala Harris supporters. Misbar's team found that it was an AI-generated image created by an X account known for posting parody content.
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