Fact Check: Sleeping Kogler in the National Council is Fake

The impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are becoming increasingly noticeable. The release of new AI models for generating images and videos this year is currently leading to an increased occurrence of such content on social media. Among them is a clip that allegedly shows National Council member Werner Kogler (Greens) sleeping.

No Indication of AI Usage

To the credit of the creator of the post on Facebook, they commented on the video with a note on satire. Nevertheless, a look at the responses to the posting shows that many users are unsure whether it is a fake or a real situation. There is no indication of AI to be found.

However, much in the clip suggests creation with the help of AI. On one hand, Kogler is seen falling asleep four times, each repetition in a different manner. Also, the sequence of movements of Kogler, who falls off the chair while sleeping in the video, does not seem authentic.

In addition, there are numerous AI-typical errors and inconsistencies. In the first and fourth video, for example, the potted plant falls off the table without any force applied. In one video, it even magically grows back into the pot while falling. In the third scene, paper sheets suddenly appear on the floor that were not previously on the table. The arrangement of the legs of the swivel chair also makes no sense at times, as seen in the first clip.

Creating Videos from Images

The material is likely to have been created using the image-to-video function of modern AI tools. This allows you to transform an image into a video by instructing the AI programs with a text input ("prompt") on what should happen in the clips. The quality of these creations has increased immensely in recent months.

A picture of Kogler from a National Council session likely served as the basis. This was published by the daily newspaper "Heute". However, it is not even a current photo; it originates from the inaugural first session of the current legislative period on October 24, 2024.

Chancellor Stocker and Zelenskyy Also in Focus

Among the AI videos with a dozing Kogler, a second AI-animated image of the former Vice Chancellor is repeatedly shown. According to the APA image database, this originates from the ski slalom race in Schladming on January 28, 2020.

The video with Kogler is by no means the only AI video currently circulating under the guise of satire. There are numerous others that ostensibly humorously target prominent politicians, yet often clearly spread political content and narratives. Some include Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, or various EU politicians.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.