What You Need to Know:
The analysis used various AI detection tools, real-time images of the National Palace, and multiple angles from different videos.
A video circulating online appearing to present a woman sunbathing at Mexico’s National Palace sparked debate over its authenticity, with some accusing the government of fabricating the footage using artificial intelligence. An investigation has determined the video is genuine.
Initial claims that the video was AI-generated stemmed from a detection tool’s assessment, but that finding has been refuted. Multiple videos taken from different perspectives corroborate the original footage, and several details confirm its authenticity.
The Video of the Woman ‘Sunbathing’ at the National Palace
The original video was shared by Vampipe (@vampipe), a social media account known for its critical stance toward the current administration.
The footage, edited with audio from a speech by Claudia Sheinbaum regarding sound levels at free concerts in the Zócalo, quickly went viral. The video prompted criticism of the government from some users, while others alleged it was a fabrication.
Infodemia Attempted to Debunk the Video… But More Angles Emerged
The account Infodemia MX (@InfodemiaMex) posted that the video was likely created using AI, citing a 71% probability from an AI detection tool. They utilized technology from UndetectableAI and TruthScam to reach this conclusion.
However, Vampipe subsequently shared additional videos, filmed from different angles, that aligned with the original footage. These videos were corroborated by social media users who witnessed the woman at the National Palace window.
Vampipe also shared the original, unedited video, clearly showing the woman in the location as described.
X (formerly Twitter) added a clarification to Infodemia’s post, stating the video is real and identifying the account as one that frequently dismisses criticism of the government as false, often based on ideological rather than technical grounds.
Infodemia is operated by the Mexican State Public Broadcasting System and has, at times, refuted accusations by citing statements from Sheinbaum, raising questions about its objectivity.
Verificado Conducted a More Comprehensive Analysis, Confirming the Video is Authentic
In response to the widespread discussion, Verificado conducted a more thorough analysis, considering the additional video angles. Their conclusion: the video is real and Infodemia’s initial assessment was a false positive.
“Upon reviewing the video with other filters and conducting a human analysis using different shots and images of the National Palace, Verificado detected that the recording is real,” they explained, noting that Infodemia relied on two tools that share the same technology, effectively counting as one.
Verificado utilized tools including Hive Moderation, Synth ID, Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector, Invid- We Verify, as well as UndetectableAI and Truth Scan, applying them to the new videos from various angles.
They also reviewed real-time webcam footage of the area, confirming that elements in the videos matched the live environment on the day they were recorded, including the barriers surrounding the National Palace, banners related to a CNTE protest, and the open window in the specific location where the video was filmed.
“Although Infodemia states its mission is to combat disinformation and ‘offer a space for verified information,’ in practice it has operated as a media outlet aligned with the government, disseminating content that favors the ruling party and questions critical voices,” Verificado concluded. Their full analysis is available here.
What Does the Government Say About the Woman Sunbathing at the National Palace?
As of this publication, neither the Mexican government, the president, the State Public Broadcasting System, nor any other official has commented on the situation. The video has been confirmed as authentic, leaving questions about the woman’s identity and purpose at the National Palace unanswered.
While speculation is possible, a formal explanation from the government is expected.
The incident highlights the challenges of verifying information in the current political climate, where claims of AI manipulation can quickly overshadow legitimate questions about events. The focus has been on whether the video was real, rather than on the events it depicts.
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