Scrolling through social media, you have probably stumbled upon a catchy group selfie featuring Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, and Xi Jinping smiling together at a major international gathering. It looks casual. It looks groundbreaking. It is also completely fake.
The image spread like wildfire across platforms like X and Instagram following the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi. Official accounts, including diplomatic missions, shared the fabricated snapshot to project solidarity among superpower rivals and allies. But beneath the polished pixels lies a manufactured reality. AI generation tools have evolved to the point where even seasoned diplomats and state channels fall for synthetic propaganda.
If you look closely at the details, the digital fabrication falls apart instantly.
The Dead Giveaways in the Pixelated Propaganda
Spotting modern synthetic media requires looking past surface-level gloss. When the viral BRICS selfie started making the rounds, fact-checkers and digital sleuths immediately pointed out glaring geopolitical impossibilities.
First, consider the attendee list. Several prominent political figures featured prominently in the frame did not even travel to New Delhi for the event. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva appears in the background of the shot, yet official diplomatic records show Brazil was represented at the summit by its foreign affairs minister. Similarly, UAE representation was handled by Abu Dhabi's crown prince rather than the nation's primary leader, who also showed up in the artificial image.
Even more absurdly, alternative versions of these fabricated selfies included deceased figures, such as former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in 2024. Turkey's leader also made appearances in parallel fake group shots, despite Turkey holding only partner status and sitting out the summit entirely.
OpenAI's verification tools and SynthID digital watermarks later confirmed that the files originated from modern generative software. When official state embassies share synthetic images to score quick online points, public trust takes a permanent hit.
Why Fake Summit Photos Pose a Massive Problem
We are past the era where bad lighting and awkward hands give away deepfakes. Today's tools generate hyper-realistic lighting, convincing skin textures, and natural smiles that trick algorithms and humans alike.
Diplomacy relies on official records, press pools, and verified documentation. When governments and state-backed accounts amplify AI-generated fabrications, they blur the line between actual diplomatic engagements and digital wish-fulfillment. You no longer need a real meeting to project influence; you just need a prompt and a good diffusion model.
This trend creates a dangerous feedback loop. Mainstream audiences consume the visual first and check the facts later—if they check them at all. By the time independent fact-checkers flag the image, the post has already racked up millions of impressions and shaped online narratives.
How to Spot Fake Diplomatic Photos Instantly
Protecting yourself from digital manipulation doesn't require a computer science degree. You just need a healthy dose of skepticism and a repeatable checklist.
- Check the official guest list. If a head of state appears in a casual candid photo but skipped the actual summit, you are looking at synthetic media.
- Look up official press pool photography. Major multilateral summits feature hundreds of accredited journalists and standardized "family photos." If an intimate smartphone selfie contradicts the formal group arrangement, question its origin.
- Use reverse image search tools. Platforms like Google Lens or specialized fact-checking databases will immediately surface debunking reports if an image has gone viral.
- Watch out for institutional sharing without verification. Just because an embassy or a verified badge shares an image doesn't mean it passed a rigorous editorial desk.
Verify before you share, because the digital landscape is only going to get noisier.
Viral Putin, Modi and Xi selfie at BRICS summit is AI-generated
This video provides an in-depth fact-check breakdown of the viral synthetic selfie featuring global leaders at the BRICS summit.
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