Panic Over AI-Generated Photo of Collapsed Monument After Earthquake
A photograph showing a collapsed monument and a video depicting cracked buildings and panicked residents circulated widely on social media following a 6.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Central Sulawesi on Tuesday, with tremors felt across parts of West Sulawesi. At first glance, the visuals appeared genuine, but in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), what appears on screen is not always real. The phenomenon has drawn renewed attention after the earthquake, as convincing yet fabricated images and videos of structural damage spread rapidly amidst public panic.
Muhammad Ridwan Djafar, Head of the Communication, Informatics, Statistics and Encryption Office (Diskominfo SP) of West Sulawesi Province, urged the public not to readily believe or share unverified visual content. “We ask the public not to immediately trust or disseminate photos and videos after the earthquake whose sources are unclear,” he said in Mamuju on Tuesday (16/6/2026).
According to Ridwan, advancements in artificial intelligence technology have entered a new phase, making manipulated photos and videos increasingly difficult for ordinary people to detect. If previously hoaxes were easily recognisable through blurry images or illogical information, the challenge today is far greater. AI technology can now generate images, sounds, and even videos that resemble real conditions with an extremely high level of detail.
In emergency situations such as earthquakes, floods, or fires, fake visual content can spread faster than official information. This creates a risk that the public may make decisions based on incorrect data. Ridwan assessed that this situation demands heightened public vigilance in consuming digital information. “Verify the truth first through official information from BMKG, local government, or credible media. Do not let unverified information cause unrest in the community,” he said.
Ridwan noted that society has entered an era where photos and videos can no longer be relied upon as the sole basis for confirming an event. Social media enables anyone to create, modify, and distribute content within minutes. In certain conditions, AI-generated images can deceive many internet users because they appear highly realistic. “Be selective in reading information before sharing it. Ensure it comes from official and trusted sources,” he stated.
He emphasised that AI technology fundamentally brings many benefits, from boosting productivity and public services to advancing education and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM). However, the same technology can also be used to create fake photos and videos that have the potential to mislead the public.