Grok Calls Netanyahu’s “Alive Proof” Video a Deepfake

Darwin, 17 March: A video released to show that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is alive has sparked controversy online after an AI chatbot claimed the footage might be a deepfake.

The video surfaced amid widespread speculation on social media about Netanyahu’s safety during the ongoing tensions and conflict involving Israel and Iran. In the clip, Netanyahu appears casually ordering coffee at a café in the Jerusalem Hills area, apparently mocking rumors of his death circulating online.

In the video, he jokes about the rumors, saying he is “dying for a cup of coffee,” while raising his hands to show his fingers after online users previously claimed that a separate clip showed him with six fingers—fueling speculation that the footage was manipulated.

However, the AI chatbot Grok, owned by Elon Musk’s company X Corp., identified the café video as AI-generated content. According to the chatbot, the clip appears to be a deepfake created using advanced artificial intelligence technology.

The claim triggered further debate among social media users, many of whom pointed out visual inconsistencies in the video, such as changes in Netanyahu’s facial shape and unusual movements in the coffee cup.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office rejected the speculation and described the rumors about Netanyahu’s death as false. The café where the video was reportedly filmed also shared photos online showing the prime minister visiting the location.

The controversy highlights growing concerns about misinformation and the increasing difficulty of distinguishing real footage from AI-generated media during times of geopolitical tension.