AI-generated image of Pentagon blast sparks panic
An AI-generated image that appeared to show an explosion near the Pentagon has circulated on social media platforms, causing a brief drop in the US stock market.
The picture, which seemed to show a large cloud of smoke near the headquarters of the US Department of Defence, in Arlington County, Virginia, quickly spread on Twitter, including on verified accounts.
It remains unclear from where the image originated.
US officials said the image was a fake.
The Arlington fire department said on Twitter it was aware of social media reports about the explosion.
It said there had been no blast at the site and there was no danger to the public.
The image and claims of the explosion were shared by Russian government-backed news outlet RT.
“Reports of an explosion near the Pentagon,” RT said to its more than three million followers, in a tweet that has since been deleted.
The incident highlights the challenges facing the spread of misinformation generated using AI, as well as verification on Twitter since the platform overhauled its subscription service, Twitter Blue.
Until last month, the platform issued blue tick badges to users whose identity the platform had verified.
Under the new Twitter Blue programme introduced last month, users can pay $8 a month for a blue tick.
Meanwhile, a van crashed into barriers at Lafayette Square across the road from the White House on Monday
night, the US Secret Service said. The driver was detained and pedestrian walkways and several roads were closed for security purposes.
“There were no injuries to any Secret Service or White House
personnel and the cause and manner of the crash remain under investigation,” Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the US Secret Service, said on Twitter.
The nearby Hay Adams hotel was evacuated, Fox 5 television news reported.
Footage broadcast on the WUSA television station showed a U-Haul removal company van stopped alongside a row of steel bollards as police approached the vehicle.
A remote-controlled robot prised open the door slightly, revealing a removal cart but no other obvious cargo.
After initially crashing, the vehicle hit the barriers a second time, WUSA reported, quoting a witness.
Washington’s Fire Department said a call came in at 9.40pm local time.
A suspicious package has been investigated, the department said.
“All units are standing by to assist law enforcement for anything they need for their investigation,” public information officer Vito Maggiolo said.