On August 23, 2026, a user named
J4207Jin posted a 10-second
video on X. The video appears to show a person holding a Taiwanese flag and
chanting slogans in Tiananmen Square. The person can be heard saying, “Taiwan
is not part of China, and it is independent.” The video has been viewed more
than 30,000 times, reposted 13 times, and liked 64 times.
However, a subsequent
investigation revealed that the video was not authentic and had been generated
using artificial intelligence. To assess the authenticity of the footage, the
video was examined using Gemini and HIVE Moderation.
The video was initially analyzed
using Gemini, which determined that the content had been generated using
artificial intelligence. Gemini identified several features as potential
indicators of AI generation, including inconsistencies in lighting and shadows,
unnatural movements of people in the video, and irregularities in the
background.
The video was subsequently
analyzed using HIVE Moderation, which also indicated that the footage was
AI-generated.
Frames from the video were also
examined using Google’s reverse image search to determine whether the footage
had previously appeared online. The investigation revealed that the video was
not first shared on August 23, 2026, but had circulated on different social
media platforms several months earlier. The earliest instance identified during
the investigation was an X post by a user
named MinMin89485072 on January 1, 2026. The video was later shared on Instagram
by a user named hellotaiwanese on January 4, 2026.
In conclusion, the investigation
indicates that the viral video does not authentically depict a person holding a
Taiwanese flag and making pro-Taiwan independence statements in Tiananmen
Square. Analyses conducted using Gemini and HIVE Moderation identified
indicators suggesting that the footage was generated using artificial
intelligence. Furthermore, reverse image searches revealed that the video had
circulated online months before the August 23, 2026 post, with the earliest
identified version dating back to January 1, 2026. This case demonstrates how
AI-generated content can be presented as footage of a real-world political
event and potentially mislead viewers. It also highlights the importance of
verifying both the authenticity and original context of viral videos,
particularly when they involve politically sensitive issues.