São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo officials targeted by AI-manipulated images

In São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo, Brazil, unidentified individuals used artificial intelligence to manipulate an image from a City Council session. The original photo, which documented a ceremony honoring citizens, was altered to show the nine council members and 10 other attendees wearing yellow and green Brazilian national team jerseys and making hand gestures associated with supporters of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Marlon Túlio Pessoa Costa, President of the São Gonçalo do Rio Abaixo City Council, issued a formal repudiation of the incident. He emphasized the importance of truth and responsibility, stating that while he respects freedom of expression, he rejects the misuse of institutional images to convey messages that do not reflect actual events.