Claims to show a train running next to a cliff were virally shared and reacted to by social media users. However, the Fact Crescendo team found that the narration attached to the video clip was AI-generated.

Let’s look at the claim in detail.

Social Media Claim

Recently, there was a viral image showing a train running next to a cliff that was posted and shared on social media. The above image has been attached to a claim that it was situated in Scotland and that it was the re-opening of the Northern Line.

The above image attached to the claim has been shared and reacted with mixed comments by the social media users, leading them to be confused that the actual train was real.

The following is a snapshot captured from the Facebook above, who wrote, “Scotrail have today announced the re-opening of the Northern Line, traditionally only used during the summer months. The route, from Kirkcaldy to Dundee through the beautiful mountain region of Fifeshire, shaves hours off the coastal route”.

Facebook Post | Archived Link

Such other photos have also been posted and found on many Facebook social networks. The full confirmation message is below.

Facebook Post | Archived Link

Facebook Post | Archived Link

Fact Check

Fact Crescendo Cambodia reviewed and verified the above claim through a Google Reverse Image Search, which brought us to the following facts:

We have found that the source image is from a brief imagery that was uploaded to Instagram by an account that describes itself as “Natural Animation”. This account often shares digitally produced videos and images, some of which show trains and other vehicles close to cliffs.

Instagram Post | Archived Link

According to Hive Moderation, an automated content moderation software, it uses machine learning models to moderate visual, textual, and audio content in real time, returning tagged metadata. The above photo claimed that the images were indeed AI-generated.

The following screenshot captured from the above website detector shows the photo claim above is 97.4% likely to be AI-generated.

HIVE Moderation Link | Archived Link

USA Today has also fact-checked and verified the above image, and the result shows the image was generated by artificial intelligence, according to an expert and an AI-detection tool.

There is no evidence of a “Northern Line” on ScotRail’s website.

USA Today News Report | Archived Link

Also, in April 2024, Snopes verified the claim and proved that the photos are artificial intelligence (AI) generated.

Snopes Link | Archived Link

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Conclusion

Fact Crescendo Cambodia has found that the photos posted by the users above are digitally altered. The photo has been generated and produced by artificial intelligence technology (AI) only.

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Title:The photo shows a train running next to a cliff generated by AI

Fact Check By: Fact Crescendo Team

Result: Altered