AI-generated earthquake images fuel misinformation in Tibet disaster response
Following a January 2025 earthquake in Tibet, AI-generated images of a child with six fingers trapped in rubble circulated on social media, reportedly attracting widespread engagement. A Qinghai user intentionally linked the images, originally posted without context months earlier, to the disaster to gain attention. Chinese authorities identified and administratively detained the user responsible for the misinformation.
What happened
Following a 6.8 to 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Shigatse's Dingjie County, Tibet on January 7, 2025, images of a child with six fingers trapped in building rubble circulated widely on social media platforms, reportedly attracting tens of thousands of likes.
The images were traced to an account named 'AI小芭芘' (AI Xiaobabysister) that posted the image on November 18, 2024, explicitly labeling it as AI-created artwork unrelated to any disaster.
A Qinghai-based social media user intentionally paired the AI-generated image with earthquake information to attract attention, according to Chinese public security investigations.
Reported impact
Social media users viewing the image wept for the child and sought information about the child's condition, unaware the image was artificially generated.
The spread of unlabeled or mislabeled AI-generated disaster imagery raised concerns about potential effects on disaster relief resource allocation.
Index analysis
The AI-generated image displayed a characteristic error of generative image systems: the child had six fingers on one hand, a common artifact in AI image generation.
Governance controls
Chinese public security authorities investigated the origin of the images and traced them to their original source.
The Qinghai user responsible for linking the AI images to earthquake disaster information was detained by local public security authorities on administrative grounds.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.