Fazlur Muhaib Ur Rehman

"Faked: A Chronicle of Image Propaganda from War Photography to AI Manipulation"

Section MS1, Ariel Caine

Keywords: book, photography, ai, social media

In "Faked", the book delves into the history of use of manipulated and fabricated imagery in propaganda, tracing its evolution from the first known manipulated war photograph to the contemporary era of AI-driven visual misinformation. The narrative unfolds across pivotal historical periods, starting with the US Civil War, World War I, and World War II, exploring the ways in which visual narratives were crafted to influence public perception and political agendas.

The project then navigates through the transformative phases of image manipulation techniques, such as airbrushing and photomontage, demonstrating how these tools became increasingly sophisticated over time. The advent of digital technology, particularly the introduction of Photoshop, marked a new era in image manipulation, allowing for more seamless alterations and widespread dissemination of propaganda.

As the project progresses into the modern age, it scrutinizes the role of artificial intelligence in shaping propaganda during conflicts, with a specific focus on the Gaza war. I selected a series of photos generated by AI algorithms and analyzed their creation, publication, and dissemination on various social media platforms. The investigation delves into how these AI-generated images were received by online communities and how rapidly they were fact-checked by media outlets and individuals