Japanese Media Finds Viral WBC Photo of Taiwan Fans Littering Was AI-Generated

Taiwanese fans’ cheering culture drew international attention during the World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Tokyo Dome, but a photo purporting to show them leaving the venue covered in trash spread across social media. Mistaking the image for an authentic record of the scene could damage the fans’ reputation and underscores the verification risks posed by generative AI in public debate surrounding major sporting events.

Japanese media recently visited Tokyo Dome and compared the seats, walkways and distribution of trash shown in the photo with the venue itself. They found several inconsistencies with the stadium’s actual structure and the characteristics of genuine images, concluding that the misleading picture was AI-generated. The reports also traced its dissemination to a fan page with more than 1 million followers and accounts suspected of acting in coordination. Available information does not specify the exact verification date or any related monetary amount.