#FactCheck - AI-Generated Video of Monkey Falsely Linked to Hanuman Devotion

A report by MarketsandMarkets in 2024 showed that the global AI market size is estimated to grow from USD 214.6 billion in 2024 to USD 1,339.1 billion in 2030, at a CAGR of 35.7%. AI has become an enabler of productivity and innovation. A Forbes Advisor survey conducted in 2023 reported that 56% of businesses use AI to optimise their operations and drive efficiency. Further, 51% use AI for cybersecurity and fraud management, 47% employ AI-powered digital assistants to enhance productivity and 46% use AI to manage customer relationships.

AI has revolutionised business functions. According to a Forbes survey, 40% of businesses rely on AI for inventory management, 35% harness AI for content production and optimisation and 33% deploy AI-driven product recommendation systems for enhanced customer engagement.  This blog addresses the opportunities and challenges posed by integrating AI into operational efficiency.

Artificial Intelligence and its resultant Operational Efficiency

AI has exemplary optimisation or efficiency capabilities and is widely used to do repetitive tasks. These tasks include payroll processing, data entry, inventory management, patient registration, invoicing, claims processing, and others. AI use has been incorporated into such tasks as it can uncover complex patterns using NLP, machine learning, and deep learning beyond human capabilities. It has also shown promise in improving the decision-making process for businesses in time-critical, high-pressure situations. 

AI-driven efficiency is visible in industries such as the manufacturing industry for predictive maintenance, in the healthcare industry for streamlining diagnostics and in logistics for route optimisation. Some of the most common real-world examples of AI increasing operational efficiency are self-driving cars (Tesla), facial recognition (Apple Face ID), language translation (Google Translate), and medical diagnosis (IBM Watson Health)

Harnessing AI has advantages as it helps optimise the supply chain, extend product life cycles, and ultimately conserve resources and cut operational costs. 

Policy Implications for AI Deployment 

Some of the policy implications for development for AI deployment are as follows:

1. Develop clear and adaptable regulatory frameworks for the ongoing and future developments in AI. The frameworks need to ensure that innovation is not hindered while managing the potential risks. 
2. As AI systems rely on high-quality data that is accessible and interoperable to function effectively and without proper data governance, these systems may produce results that are biased, inaccurate and unreliable. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure data privacy as it is essential to maintain trust and prevent harm to individuals and organisations.
3. Policy developers need to focus on creating policies that upskill the workforce which complements AI development and therefore job displacement. 
4. To ensure cross-border applicability and efficiency of standardising AI policies, the policy-makers need to ensure that international cooperation is achieved when developing the policies.

Addressing Challenges and Risks 

Some of the main challenges that emerge with the development of AI are algorithmic bias, cybersecurity threats and the dependence on exclusive AI solutions or where the company retains exclusive control over the source codes. Some policy approaches that can be taken to mitigate these challenges are:

1. Having a robust accountability mechanism. 
2. Establishing identity and access management policies that have technical controls like authentication and authorisation mechanisms. 
3. Ensure that the learning data that AI systems use follows ethical considerations such as data privacy, fairness in decision-making, transparency, and the interpretability of AI models.

Conclusion 

AI can contribute and provide opportunities to drive operational efficiency in businesses. It can be an optimiser for productivity and costs and foster innovation for different industries. But this power of AI comes with its own considerations and therefore, it must be balanced with proactive policies that address the challenges that emerge such as the need for data governance, algorithmic bias and risks associated with cybersecurity. A solution to overcome these challenges is establishing an adaptable regulatory framework, fostering workforce upskilling and promoting international collaborations. As businesses integrate AI into core functions, it becomes necessary to leverage its potential while safeguarding fairness, transparency, and trust. AI is not just an efficiency tool, it has become a stimulant for organisations operating in a rapidly evolving digital world.

References

• https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/artificial-intelligence/ai-indian-businesses-long-term-gain-operational-efficiency-9717072/ 
• https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/artificial-intelligence-market-74851580.html
• https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2024/08/06/smart-automation-ais-impact-on-operational-efficiency/ 
• https://www.processexcellencenetwork.com/ai/articles/ai-operational-excellence 
• https://www.leewayhertz.com/ai-for-operational-efficiency/ 
• https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2024/11/04/bringing-ai-to-the-enterprise-challenges-and-considerations/  

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Executive Summary:

After the reported attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, a video allegedly showing footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been widely circulated on social media. In the clip, Ronaldo appears to be holding a Palestinian flag and chanting “Free Palestine.” Several users are sharing the video with the claim that Ronaldo waved the Palestinian flag and raised “Free Palestine” slogans after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. However, a research  by CyberPeace found that the claim is false. The viral clip does not depict a real event and has been generated using artificial intelligence. The fabricated video is being shared online with misleading claims.

Claim

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An Instagram user “ham_313_ka_admi” shared the viral video on March 2, 2026. The text on the video reads: “Cristiano Ronaldo waved the Palestinian flag after Khamenei’s death. Mashallah. Free Palestine.”

• https://www.instagram.com/reels/DVXsyhwCkyT/ 
• https://perma.cc/Y5E7-TSYX 

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Fact Check:

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To verify the claim, we searched Google using relevant keywords but found no credible news reports supporting the viral claim. We also reviewed the official social media accounts of Cristiano Ronaldo, where no such video or statement was posted. This raised suspicion that the clip might be AI-generated.

To further examine the video, we analyzed it using AI detection tools. The tool Hive Moderation indicated a 99.9% probability that the video was created using artificial intelligence.

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We also analyzed the footage using the Sightengine AI detection tool. The results suggested an 80% likelihood that the video was AI-generated. The tool also indicated that the clip may have been created using Sora, an AI video-generation tool.

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Conclusion

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The viral video claiming that Cristiano Ronaldo waved the Palestinian flag and chanted “Free Palestine” after the death of Ali Khamenei is AI-generated. It does not depict a real incident and is being shared with a misleading claim.

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Executive Summary:

A viral social media claim suggested that India Post would discontinue all red post boxes across the country from 1 September 2025, attributing the move to the government’s Digital India initiative. However, fact-checking revealed this claim to be false. India Post’s official X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram handles clarified on 7 August 2025 that red letterboxes remain operational, calling them timeless symbols of connection and memories. No official notice or notification regarding their discontinuation exists on the Department of Posts’ website. This indicates the viral posts were misleading and aimed at creating confusion among the public.

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Claim:

A claim is circulating on social media stating that India Post will discontinue all red post boxes across the country effective 1 September 2025. According to the viral posts,[archived link] the move is being linked to the government’s push towards Digital India, suggesting that traditional post boxes have lost their relevance in the digital era.

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‍Fact Check:  

After conducting a reverse image analysis, we found that the official X handle of India Post, in a post dated 7 August 2025, clarified that the viral claim was incorrect and misleading. The post was shared with the caption:

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I’m still right here and always will be!"

India Post is evolving with the times, but some things will remain the same- always. We have carried love, news, and stories for generations... And guess what? Our red letterboxes are here to stay.

They are symbols of connection, memories, and moments that mattered. Then. Now. Always. 

Keep sending handwritten letters- we are here for you.

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This directly refutes the viral claim about the discontinuation of the red post box from 1 September 2025. A similar clarification was also posted on the official Instagram handle @indiapost_dop on the same date.

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Furthermore, after thoroughly reviewing the official website of the Department of Posts, Government of India, we found absolutely no trace, notice, or even the slightest mention of any plan to discontinue the iconic red post boxes. This complete absence of official communication strongly reinforces the fact that the viral claim is nothing more than a baseless and misleading rumour.

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Conclusion: 

The claim about the discontinuation of red post boxes from 1 September 2025 is false and misleading. India Post has officially confirmed that the iconic red letterboxes will continue to function as before and remain an integral part of India’s postal services.

• Claim: A viral claim suggests that India Post will remove all red letter boxes across the country beginning 1 September 2025.‍
• Claimed On: Social Media‍
• Fact Check: False and Misleading

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