Fake Photo of Serbian Students at Thompson Concert: How Artificial Intelligence is Stirring Chaos on Social Media
Have you heard about the latest scandal that exploded on social media? A photo of two Serbian students at a concert of the controversial Croatian singer Marko Perković Thompson, which literally went viral in early July, turned out to be a complete fake! Yes, you read that right – the image was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
What happened?
On social media, a photo appeared showing young men in black T-shirts with the word “pumpaj” in front of a small stage, holding banners with the name Marko Perković Thompson. This photo was quickly interpreted as proof that Serbian students attended Thompson’s concert, which sparked outrage and accusations of betrayal and collaboration with the Ustaše movement.
But wait a minute! A detailed analysis of the image showed that the scene does not match the real setup of the concert at the Zagreb Hippodrome. The stage in the photo is much smaller, there are no large LED screens, and the “Hipodrom” sign was not present at the event. The audience looks static and blurry, and the faces of the young men are overly smooth – all typical signs of AI-generated images.
How was the deception uncovered?
Experts used AI content detection tools like Sightengine and Hive Moderation, which confirmed with 99% certainty that the image was generated using models like OpenAI GPT-4o or similar platforms. This is not the first time AI has been used to create false narratives – similar spins have appeared before, aiming to delegitimize the student civic initiative in Serbia, especially in the context of protests and university blockades.
Why does this matter?
This fake photo is not just a harmless joke. It is part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at dividing society, discrediting students, and fueling animosity between peoples. In an era where information spreads at lightning speed, such manipulations can have serious consequences for social climate and political stability.
What can we learn?
First, don’t believe everything you see online! Second, artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that can be misused to spread lies. Third, it is important to use verified sources and fact-checking tools before trusting sensational claims.
Conclusion
While students fight for their rights and express their views, some people use technology to falsely accuse and discredit them. This situation is a warning for all of us to be cautious and critical of the information we consume. And if it feels like a scene from a bad movie – you’re not far off!
Now, as you ponder all this, take a peek at the comments below – there’s bound to be some sarcasm and maybe a meme or two. Who knows, maybe you’ll spot the next fake news before it goes viral!
Source: Istinomer.rs, photo analysis and AI detection
