Lady apologises for AI-generated Itel power tank explosion image

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A Nigerian X user, Enori, has apologised after admitting that she used artificial intelligence to create and circulate a fake image claiming that an itel Power Tank had exploded.

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Enori, who shared the image on X earlier in the week, deleted the post after it attracted significant attention and later acknowledged that the incident did not happen.

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In an apology posted on social media, she said the image and the claim about the explosion were fabricated using AI.

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“Hi, good morning, everybody. I made a post three days ago claiming that itel solar fan exploded and that it was overcharging, which I used AI to create. It didn’t happen, and I’m very, very sorry to the itel team and to the itel customers,” she said.

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Enori also apologised to people who may have been affected by the claim or who believed the image was genuine.

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She said, “I’m very, very sorry. I know what it feels like to have a brand and for someone to just try to bring it down, and it was never my intention. I didn’t know it would go this far. I didn’t even think of it, and I’ll never do it again.”

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She further confirmed that the image was not a photograph of an actual incident involving the product.

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“To the incoming customers that may have felt deceived, or angry, or felt like or believed that it was real, it was not real. It was AI and I deleted it,” she said.

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Enori also said she hoped the matter could be put behind them, adding that she would not repeat the act.

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The development followed a warning by itel over the circulation of the AI-generated image, which purportedly showed an itel Power Tank after an explosion allegedly caused by overcharging.

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itel had described the image as fabricated and warned that it would take legal action against people who deliberately used AI-generated images or other misleading content to spread false information about its products.

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In a disclaimer issued on X on Wednesday, the company said it would not tolerate attempts to use fabricated content to discredit its brand or mislead customers.n

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itel said deliberate attempts to misrepresent the company through fabricated content, manipulated materials or false claims would attract appropriate legal action.

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The company added that it would pursue available legal remedies where necessary to protect its brand, customers and reputation.

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The Power Tank is a portable power station marketed by itel as a backup power source during electricity outages. According to the company, the product uses lithium iron phosphate batteries and has safety features including battery management, over-temperature, over-voltage, overload and short-circuit protection.

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There has been no verified incident linking an itel Power Tank to the explosion depicted in the AI-generated image.

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