Original article (in Montenegrin) was published on 24/6/2024; Author: Jelena Jovanović
Pope Francis recently urged leaders of the world’s wealthy democracies to prioritize discussions on the use of artificial intelligence, warning that this powerful technology risks “turning human relations into mere algorithms.”
The pope himself has been targeted by artificial intelligence numerous times. He was depicted riding a motorcycle, flying a fighter jet, and, most notably, in a widely circulated photo showing the pope wearing a popular and expensive Balenciaga jacket.
We found a new AI-generated “creation” targeting the 87-year-old pope on social media.
“The devil gave him gold and power, but tomorrow, when he burns in hell, he will seek help!” reads the photo’s caption showing the pope touching/stacking gold bars.
Besides Facebook, this photo also appeared on Telegram, where it achieved significantly greater visibility.
The photo is quite convincing and has no major visual flaws, but it is still the work of artificial intelligence.
This can be confirmed using various tools for verifying computer-generated content.
Additionally, an internet search of official Vatican communication channels, media, and agency reports does not turn up this photo or any reports suggesting anything similar happened.
Raskrinkavanje has written multiple times about disinformation, fake news, and conspiracy theories “woven” to discredit Pope Francis.
Due to all the above, posts from Facebook and Telegram are rated as fake news.
The “Fake news” rating is given to an original media report (completely produced by the media that published it) that contains factually incorrect claims or information. Content that is rated as fake news can be reliably determined to have been created and disseminated with the intent to misinform the public, that is, to present a completely false claim as fact.
