AI-Generated Video Falsely Shows Leshan Buddha Statue "Ear Cleaning"
The Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area administration has debunked a viral video purportedly showing maintenance workers cleaning the statue's ears. Officials state the video is AI-generated and does not depict actual events.
The administration of the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area has refuted claims circulating online through a viral video that depicted maintenance workers cleaning the ears and nostrils of the giant Buddha statue. The video also showed a monkey interacting with the workers.
Officials confirmed that the video is not a genuine representation of any maintenance activities. According to Chen Rui, deputy director of the digital information center for the Leshan Giant Buddha Cultural Heritage Conservation and Scenic Area Management Committee, the footage was generated using AI. He stated that there are no "impurities" within the Buddha's ears or nostrils that require cleaning.
Previous maintenance on the Leshan Giant Buddha, with the latest occurring from September 20-25, focused on repairing micro-damages to the rock surface and removing vegetation and microorganisms. These operations were unrelated to the scenes depicted in the video. Furthermore, the administration clarified that there are no monkeys present in the Lingyun Mountain area where the statue is located, contradicting elements shown in the footage.
The scenic area administration urged the public to disregard the false information and refrain from spreading it. The incident highlights concerns over AI-generated content and its potential to mislead the public. China's regulations on deep synthesis and generative AI prohibit the use of such technologies to fabricate facts or deceive audiences, with violations subject to legal penalties.