Bengaluru: A massive explosion appears to rip through one of Karnataka’s most prominent government buildings, sending a wave of destruction across the screen. But the blast never happened.

The footage was allegedly fabricated using artificial intelligence, and its circulation on social media has now led to the arrest of a 25-year-old man in Bengaluru. 

The accused, identified as Hazarat Ali, is a native of Araria district in Bihar. According to police, he moved to Bengaluru a few months ago and worked in pipe-related work.

Ali was arrested over an AI-generated video that falsely depicted a bomb blast at Vidhana Soudha, the seat of Karnataka’s legislature. No actual explosion at the building was reported in connection with the viral clip.

The incident has renewed concerns about the potential misuse of generative AI to create convincing but false footage of attacks, particularly at government institutions and prominent public landmarks.

How the fake explosion video went viral

The video reportedly circulated through an Instagram account identified as jnx_king_h_g. In the clip, a person appears to point towards Vidhana Soudha before visual effects show what looks like a massive explosion engulfing the building.

The footage subsequently gained traction on social media, drawing attention to the fabricated scene. The Instagram account was later deactivated, although the video had already spread widely.

The realistic look of AI-generated visuals can make it hard for viewers to distinguish fabricated scenes from real incidents, especially when clips are shared without context or verification.

Police investigate motive behind video

Bengaluru Police arrested Ali in connection with the video and registered a case at Vidhana Soudha police station.

Investigators are examining the circumstances behind the footage's creation and circulation, including the accused's alleged role in producing and sharing it.

Investigators are also examining the motive behind the video. Further details about the case and the probe's findings are awaited.

AI-generated misinformation raises concerns

The episode underscores how artificial intelligence tools can create misleading depictions of events that never occurred.

When such content involves sensitive locations or alleged attacks on public infrastructure, it can confuse viewers and cause unnecessary alarm.

The rapid spread of fabricated footage on social media also challenges authorities trying to counter misinformation after it has already reached a wide audience.

While AI-generated videos can serve legitimate creative purposes, their misuse to portray fictional incidents as real raises questions about accountability, responsible content creation, and the need to verify sensational footage before sharing it.

In this case, an explosion that existed only in an AI-generated video has resulted in a police investigation and the arrest of a young man.