Republic TV airs live show using fake, AI generated image calling it ‘blast near Pentagon’
New Delhi: American officials have dismissed rumors of a massive explosion near the Pentagon on Monday morning, clarifying that a viral video circulating on social media depicting the incident is fake.
Despite some news channels broadcasting the footage as breaking news, it has been confirmed that the clip, which shows thick smoke emanating from the blast site near the Washington DC building, was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Prominent fact-checker Mohammed Zubair took to Twitter to expose the video's artificial nature, stating that it was created using AI technology. Zubair specifically highlighted an Indian news channel, Republic TV, which aired the video and even invited strategic expert Prof. Madhav Nalapat to provide analysis on the purported explosion. Zubair noted that the image was, in fact, AI-generated.
The incident has sparked discussions among users emphasizing the importance of verifying news sources and content before sharing or believing in its authenticity.
So @republic aired a 'Live & Breaking' news of Pentagon explosion image. They even invited Prof. Madhav Nalapat "strategic expert" to discuss about the explosion.
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 22, 2023
BWT, It was an AI generated image. pic.twitter.com/8j1nfSJR6x
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Binny Bansal steps down from board of PhonePe
New Delhi, Nov 22: Flipkart's co-founder Binny Bansal has stepped down from the board of PhonePe, the fintech company said on Friday.
PhonePe also announced the appointment of Manish Sabharwal as an Independent Director and Chair of its Audit Committee.
In this role, Sabharwal will be instrumental in upholding the integrity and effectiveness of PhonePe's financial reporting, internal controls, and risk management practices, he company said in a release.
"PhonePe also announced that Flipkart's co-founder, Binny Bansal has stepped down from its Board of Directors. Binny acquired PhonePe in 2016 and has been on its Board since then," the release said.
Commenting on the board rejig, Sameer Nigam, CEO and Founder of PhonePe said, "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Binny Bansal for being one of PhonePe's earliest and staunchest supporters. His active engagement, strategic guidance, and personal mentorship have profoundly enriched our discussions. Binny will be missed!"
Nigam further said that Sabharwal's depth of understanding of India's macro economy, coupled with his leadership in shaping India's policies for education, employment, and employability will be invaluable as PhonePe continues to work ahead towards shared vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Sabharwal is Vice-Chairman of Teamlease Services, India's largest staffing and human capital firm.
Bansal played an instrumental role in Flipkart's acquisition of PhonePe way back in 2016 and had been on its board since then (the payments firm separated from Flipkart in 2022).
