#FactCheck - Video Showing Sadhus in Ice Is Artificially Generated
Executive Summary
A video showing a group of Hindu ascetics (sadhus) allegedly performing intense penance while their bodies appear to be covered in ice is being widely shared on social media. Users are circulating the video as real and claiming that it represents an ancient tradition of Sanatan Dharma. CyberPeace research found the viral claim to be false.The research revealed that the video circulating on social media is not real but has been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Claim
On social media platform Facebook, a user shared the viral video on January 16, 2026. The video shows several ascetics engaged in penance, with their bodies seemingly covered in ice. Users shared the video while claiming that it depicts an authentic spiritual practice rooted in Sanatan Dharma.
Links to the post, archive link, and screenshots can be seen below.
Fact Check:
To verify the authenticity of the viral claim, CyberPeace searched relevant keywords on Google. However, no credible or reliable media reports supporting the claim were found. A close examination of the viral video raised suspicion that it may have been AI-generated. To verify this, the video was analysed using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. According to the results, the video was found to be 99 percent AI-generated.
In the next step of the research, the same video was analysed using another AI detection tool, Sightengine. The results again indicated that the video was 99 percent AI-generated.
Conclusion
CyberPeace concludes that the video circulating on social media is not real. The viral video showing ascetics covered in ice was generated using artificial intelligence and does not depict an actual religious or spiritual practice.
Related Blogs
Executive Summary
A viral graphic post on social media claims that India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) was “fake for 10 years.” The post also states that the real economic growth was around 4%, while official figures reported it at 6%. It further cites a former Chief Economic Adviser (Ex-CEA) and presents the claim as a “revelation.”
Research by CyberPeace Research Wing found this claim to be misleading. No official government document, nor India’s Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), or any recognised international institution has stated that India’s GDP was “fake.”
Claim
On the social media platform Instagram, a user shared a post claiming that the Chief Economic Adviser said India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) was “fake for 10 years.” The link to the post and its archive link are given below, along with a screenshot.
The viral post refers to a 2019 research paper linked to former Chief Economic Adviser (Ex-CEA) Arvind Subramanian. In this study, he raised questions about India’s GDP growth estimation and suggested that during 2011–12 to 2016–17, the actual growth could have been around 4.5%, while the official estimate was close to 7%.
However, the study does not conclude anywhere that India’s GDP was “fake” or entirely incorrect. It only presents an alternative estimation based on different assumptions and methods, which has also been challenged by other economists and government agencies.
- https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/cid/publications/faculty-working-papers/india-gdp-overestimate?utm_source
- https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/cid/publications/faculty-working-papers/india-gdp-overestimate?utm_source
Conclusion:
The claim circulating on social media is misleading. The former Chief Economic Adviser provided an academic view on GDP estimation, but there is no evidence or official confirmation that India’s GDP was “fake for 10 years.” The data released by the Government of India was not validated by the figures circulated on social media.
Executive Summary:
A viral online video claims Billionaire and Founder of Tesla & SpaceX Elon Musk of promoting Cryptocurrency. The CyberPeace Research Team has confirmed that the video is a deepfake, created using AI technology to manipulate Elon’s facial expressions and voice through the use of relevant, reputed and well verified AI tools and applications to arrive at the above conclusion for the same. The original footage had no connections to any cryptocurrency, BTC or ETH apportion to the ardent followers of crypto-trading. The claim that Mr. Musk endorses the same and is therefore concluded to be false and misleading.
Claims:
A viral video falsely claims that Billionaire and founder of Tesla Elon Musk is endorsing a Crypto giveaway project for the crypto enthusiasts which are also his followers by consigning a portion of his valuable Bitcoin and Ethereum stock.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the viral posts, we conducted a Google Lens search on the keyframes of the video. The search led us to various legitimate sources featuring Mr. Elon Musk but none of them included any promotion of any cryptocurrency giveaway. The viral video exhibited signs of digital manipulation, prompting a deeper investigation.
We used AI detection tools, such as TrueMedia.org, to analyze the video. The analysis confirmed with 99.0% confidence that the video was a deepfake. The tools identified "substantial evidence of manipulation," particularly in the facial movements and voice, which were found to be artificially generated.
Additionally, an extensive review of official statements and interviews with Mr. Musk revealed no mention of any such giveaway. No credible reports were found linking Elon Musk to this promotion, further confirming the video’s inauthenticity.
Conclusion:
The viral video claiming that Elon Musk promotes a crypto giveaway is a deep fake. The research using various tools such as Google Lens, AI detection tool confirms that the video is manipulated using AI technology. Additionally, there is no information in any official sources. Thus, the CyberPeace Research Team confirms that the video was manipulated using AI technology, making the claim false and misleading.
- Claim: Elon Musk conducting giving away Cryptocurrency viral on social media.
- Claimed on: X(Formerly Twitter)
- Fact Check: False & Misleading
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Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven autonomous weapons are reshaping military strategy, acting as force multipliers that can independently assess threats, adapt to dynamic combat environments, and execute missions with minimal human intervention, pushing the boundaries of modern warfare tactics. AI has become a critical component of modern technology-driven warfare and has simultaneously impacted many spheres in a technology-driven world. Nations often prioritise defence for significant investments, supporting its growth and modernisation. AI has become a prime area of investment and development for technological superiority in defence forces. India’s focus on defence modernisation is evident through initiatives like the Defence AI Council and the Task Force on Strategic Implementation of AI for National Security.
The main requirement that Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) require is the “autonomy” to perform their functions when direction or input from a human actor is absent. AI is not a prerequisite for the functioning of AWSs, but, when incorporated, AI could further enable such systems. While militaries seek to apply increasingly sophisticated AI and automation to weapons technologies, several questions arise. Ethical concerns have been raised for AWS as the more prominent issue by many states, international organisations, civil society groups and even many distinguished figures.
Ethical Concerns Surrounding Autonomous Weapons
The delegation of life-and-death decisions to machines is the ethical dilemma that surrounds AWS. A major concern is the lack of human oversight, raising questions about accountability. What if AWS malfunctions or violates international laws, potentially committing war crimes? This ambiguity fuels debate over the dangers of entrusting lethal force to non-human actors. Additionally, AWS poses humanitarian risks, particularly to civilians, as flawed algorithms could make disastrous decisions. The dehumanisation of warfare and the violation of human dignity are critical concerns when AWS is in question, as targets become reduced to mere data points. The impact on operators’ moral judgment and empathy is also troubling, alongside the risk of algorithmic bias leading to unjust or disproportionate targeting. These ethical challenges are deeply concerning.
Balancing Ethical Considerations and Innovations
It is immaterial how advanced a computer becomes in simulating human emotions like compassion, empathy, altruism, or other emotions as the machine will only be imitating them, not experiencing them as a human would. A potential solution to this ethical predicament is using a 'human-in-the-loop' or 'human-on-the-loop' semi-autonomous system. This would act as a compromise between autonomy and accountability.
A “human-on-the-loop” system is designed to provide human operators with the ability to intervene and terminate engagements before unacceptable levels of damage occur. For example, defensive weapon systems could autonomously select and engage targets based on their programming, during which a human operator retains full supervision and can override the system within a limited period if necessary.
In contrast, a ‘human-in-the-loop” system is intended to engage individual targets or specific target groups pre-selected by a human operator. Examples would include homing munitions that, once launched to a particular target location, search for and attack preprogrammed categories of targets within the area.
International Debate and Regulatory Frameworks
The regulation of autonomous weapons that employ AI, in particular, is a pressing global issue due to the ethical, legal, and security concerns it contains. There are many ongoing efforts at the international level which are in discussion to regulate such weapons. One such example is the initiative under the United Nations Convention on CertainConventional Weapons (CCW), where member states, India being an active participant, debate the limits of AI in warfare. However, existing international laws, such as the Geneva Conventions, offer legal protection by prohibiting indiscriminate attacks and mandating the distinction between combatants and civilians. The key challenge lies in achieving global consensus, as different nations have varied interests and levels of technological advancement. Some countries advocate for a preemptive ban on fully autonomous weapons, while others prioritise military innovation. The complexity of defining human control and accountability further complicates efforts to establish binding regulations, making global cooperation both essential and challenging.
The Future of AI in Defence and the Need for Stronger Regulations
The evolution of autonomous weapons poses complex ethical and security challenges. As AI-driven systems become more advanced, a growing risk of its misuse in warfare is also advancing, where lethal decisions could be made without human oversight. Proactive regulation is crucial to prevent unethical use of AI, such as indiscriminate attacks or violations of international law. Setting clear boundaries on autonomous weapons now can help avoid future humanitarian crises. India’s defence policy already recognises the importance of regulating the use of AI and AWS, as evidenced by the formation of bodies like the Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) for enabling AI-based processes in defence Organisations. Global cooperation is essential for creating robust regulations that balance technological innovation with ethical considerations. Such collaboration would ensure that autonomous weapons are used responsibly, protecting civilians and combatants, while encouraging innovation within a framework prioritising human dignity and international security.
Conclusion
AWS and AI in warfare present significant ethical, legal, and security challenges. While these technologies promise enhanced military capabilities, they raise concerns about accountability, human oversight, and humanitarian risks. Balancing innovation with ethical responsibility is crucial, and semi-autonomous systems offer a potential compromise. India’s efforts to regulate AI in defence highlight the importance of proactive governance. Global cooperation is essential in establishing robust regulations that ensure AWS is used responsibly, prioritising human dignity and adherence to international law, while fostering technological advancement.
References
● https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/reaim-summit-ai-war-weapons-9556525/
