Post #1144219 · Elektrine

@bildoperationen@tldr.nettime.org

2026-04-14 04:48 UTC

Immediately after the landing of Artemis 2, AI-generated images of the recovery spread online. We have seen this before, with the kidnapping of Maduro or the mass protests against ICE raids – fake images of real events. While these synthetic images fictionalize reality, they are not necessarily meant as disinformation. Rather, they both illustrate and cater to widespread expectations. In our hypervisualized world of ubiquitous networked cameras, we expect to see perfect images of whatever is happening immediately. #AIslop delivers. 1/3

Replies (4)

@bildoperationen@tldr.nettime.org 2026-04-14 04:49

Compared to the actual footage, which in this case, NASA shared on a Flickr account, the AI versions are often more dramatic, cinematic, and optimized for social media clickbait. Perhaps we will become accustomed to these types of images and recognize them for what they are: generic, more or less realistic visualizations of headlines and trending topics, not unlike earlier forms of imagery. 2/3

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@Gustodon@mas.to 2026-04-14 09:51

@bildoperationen@tldr.nettime.org This timeline is for assholes.

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@kommaKucken@ruhr.social 2026-04-14 12:01

@bildoperationen@tldr.nettime.org Whether they *intend* to be misinformation or not is irrelevant. They are widely regarded as authentic pictures (otherwise no fact check would ever be necessary) and therefore are ideal tools for all kinds of manipulation, because humans believe what they’ve seen even more than what they’ve heard or read. @Aubrieta@social.tchncs.de

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@Earl@mast.john1126.com 2026-04-16 19:13

@bildoperationen@tldr.nettime.org How do you know this image is generated by AI? Did the original source disclose it as AI-generated? #AI

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