Lady apologises for AI-generated Itel power tank explosion image

The lady, Enori. Photo: X

A Nigerian X user, Enori, has apologised after admitting that she used artificial intelligence to create and circulate a fake image claiming that an itel Power Tank had exploded.

Enori, who shared the image on X earlier in the week, deleted the post after it attracted significant attention and later acknowledged that the incident did not happen.

In an apology posted on social media, she said the image and the claim about the explosion were fabricated using AI.

“Hi, good morning, everybody. I made a post three days ago claiming that itel solar fan exploded and that it was overcharging, which I used AI to create. It didn’t happen, and I’m very, very sorry to the itel team and to the itel customers,” she said.

Enori also apologised to people who may have been affected by the claim or who believed the image was genuine.

She said, “I’m very, very sorry. I know what it feels like to have a brand and for someone to just try to bring it down, and it was never my intention. I didn’t know it would go this far. I didn’t even think of it, and I’ll never do it again.”

She further confirmed that the image was not a photograph of an actual incident involving the product.

“To the incoming customers that may have felt deceived, or angry, or felt like or believed that it was real, it was not real. It was AI and I deleted it,” she said.

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Enori also said she hoped the matter could be put behind them, adding that she would not repeat the act.

The development followed a warning by itel over the circulation of the AI-generated image, which purportedly showed an itel Power Tank after an explosion allegedly caused by overcharging.

itel had described the image as fabricated and warned that it would take legal action against people who deliberately used AI-generated images or other misleading content to spread false information about its products.

In a disclaimer issued on X on Wednesday, the company said it would not tolerate attempts to use fabricated content to discredit its brand or mislead customers.

itel said deliberate attempts to misrepresent the company through fabricated content, manipulated materials or false claims would attract appropriate legal action.

The company added that it would pursue available legal remedies where necessary to protect its brand, customers and reputation.

The Power Tank is a portable power station marketed by itel as a backup power source during electricity outages. According to the company, the product uses lithium iron phosphate batteries and has safety features including battery management, over-temperature, over-voltage, overload and short-circuit protection.

There has been no verified incident linking an itel Power Tank to the explosion depicted in the AI-generated image.