3 days ago
KZN plane crash exposes dangers of AI deepfake images in news reports
The shocking use of an AI-generated deepfake image by several online news sites needs to attract far more attention than it has.
Ladysmith Gazette reports that three people died in a plane crash on Sunday. In the clamour to break the news and use a hard-hitting image, several news sites grabbed an image that was circulating online. Many even added their own photo credit logos to the image, making it appear more legitimate.
The problem with the image was that it could easily have been identified as fake, even at a glance. Consider the following:
The crash took place in a forest, yet there are no trees in the image.
One of the accident scene workers has three legs.
The plane is the wrong colour, and the registration code is white instead of black.
What is truly baffling is that someone went to extraordinary lengths to fake the image. This was not merely the incorrect use of a photo — the plane's actual registration code was even used in the AI-generated image.
Some of the online sites that used the image are household names.
What are deepfake images?
'Deepfake' usually refers to highly realistic but fake images, videos or audio, often generated using AI tools.
Deepfakes have existed long before generative AI tools became popular, with software like Photoshop historically used for manipulation.
Tips for identifying AI-generated images:
Look for missing or extra hands or feet.
Look at faces — they are often distorted.
Look for misspelt or foreign-looking text in the image.
Look for inconsistent reflections, colours or shadows.
Tributes pour in for pilot killed in crash
The Witness reports that tributes are pouring in for Nqobile Biyela, the young female pilot who died in the crash.
Biyela (22), along with two other pilots — all from Eagle Air Flight School — left Virginia Airport in Durban for their base in Pretoria. They attempted a refuelling stop at Ladysmith airstrip but were unable to refuel there. The group was diverted to the nearby Greytown airstrip, but disaster struck en route.
Their light aircraft crashed in a eucalyptus plantation owned by Sappi at Sevenoaks, just outside Mooi River. The wreckage was discovered by a plantation worker on Monday morning.
Three aircraft from the same aviation school were involved in the trip between Pretoria and Durban. One crash-landed in sugarcane fields near Greytown, with both pilots sustaining minor injuries, while the third landed safely.
Eagle Air Flight School general manager Matthew, who declined to give his surname, confirmed that all those on board were qualified pilots. He said the matter is now in the hands of the police and declined to comment further.
Condolences shared online
Those who knew Biyela took to social media to share heartfelt messages of condolence with her family.
Mndeni Mlaba wrote: 'There is no pain greater than burying your child, and it must be excruciating when the child has grown this far. Condolences to the family, and may God be with you during this time of mourning.'
Sandile Nota said: 'The death of such a young person with such a skill is very painful. Condolences to the family and friends.'
'Such a young and beautiful girl… may God heal her mother and all family members and friends of the three families. May their souls rest in peace,' wrote Dephefost Motau.
The KZN Department of Transport had yet to identify the other two deceased at the time of publishing.
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