The Day Mexico’s President Got Fooled by AI
In January 2026, President Claudia Sheinbaum stood before reporters at an official press conference. She presented an image as evidence that accused drug kingpin Ryan Wedding had voluntarily surrendered to Mexican authorities.
The problem? The image was completely fake, generated by artificial intelligence.
CBC News quickly determined the image came from an Instagram account filled with AI-generated content. When confronted, Sheinbaum blamed Meta for failing to label the image as AI-generated:
“Every social network has a policy that when there is a photograph or any information using artificial intelligence… it must have the letters IA or AI. In this case, it does not have any indication that it is artificial intelligence.”
The incident became international news, highlighting an uncomfortable truth: if the president of a nation can fall for AI slop, so can anyone.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
This was not just an embarrassing moment for Mexico’s government. It was a preview of our future. Consider:
- AI images are now indistinguishable from real photos at first glance
- Platforms don’t consistently label AI-generated content
- Verification skills are now essential, not optional
- Misinformation spreads faster than corrections can ever catch up
The Sheinbaum incident also highlights another problem: we can no longer rely on platforms or institutions to protect us. Personal verification skills are now a necessity.
Related: Understand the full scope of this problem in our guide on AI Slop: The Digital Pollution Flooding Every Platform.
7 Free Tools to Verify Images
Before sharing any image, especially one that seems too perfect, too convenient, or too outrageous, run it through these verification tools.
AI Detection Tools
| Tool | Best For | Accuracy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hive Moderation | Identifying which AI made the image | ~98% | Free tier available |
| WasItAI | Quick checks, supports all major generators | High | Free |
| TruthScan | Deepfake detection | 97%+ | Free tier |
| Illuminarty | MidJourney & DALL-E detection | High | Free |
| IMGDetector.ai | Detailed analysis of subtle artifacts | High | Free |
Reverse Image Search
| Tool | Best For |
|---|---|
| Google Lens | Finding original sources, checking if image existed before |
| TinEye | Tracking image history and modifications |
Pro tip: If an image has no history on reverse search but claims to be from a recent news event, that is a red flag.
5 Manual Verification Techniques
Tools are not foolproof. Train your eye with these techniques:
1. Zoom In on Details
AI struggles with:
- Hands and fingers (wrong number, bizarre positioning)
- Text in images (garbled, nonsensical letters)
- Jewelry and accessories (impossible geometry)
- Background objects (melting into each other)
2. Check Reflections and Shadows
AI often gets these wrong:
- Shadows that don’t match light sources
- Reflections that show different scenes
- Eyes reflecting impossible things (or nothing at all)
3. Look for Symmetry Errors
AI tends to over-smooth faces and create:
- Too-perfect skin texture
- Eerily symmetrical features
- Hair that looks painted rather than natural
4. Examine Edges and Transitions
Look for:
- Blurry boundaries between objects
- Objects blending into backgrounds
- Unnatural color transitions
5. Question the Context
Ask yourself:
- Who shared this? Is the source credible?
- Why now? Does the timing seem convenient?
- Does it exist elsewhere? Can you find other angles or sources?
- Is it too perfect? Real life is messy. AI images often are not.
The 30-Second Verification Checklist
Before sharing any suspicious image:
- Reverse image search it on Google Lens or TinEye
- Run it through at least one AI detection tool
- Zoom in on hands, text, and background details
- Check the source - where did it originally come from?
- Look for other coverage - are legitimate news sources reporting this?
If any step raises doubts, do not share it.
What President Sheinbaum Should Have Done
Let’s use her case as a learning example:
-
Verify the source: The image came from an Instagram account. A quick profile review would have revealed it was filled with obvious AI content.
-
Reverse image search: The image had no history before appearing on that account. A major red flag for supposedly documentary evidence.
-
Cross-reference: No other news outlet or official source had this image. If it were real, multiple sources would have it.
-
Consult experts: For high-stakes situations, government agencies have access to forensic analysis tools that can detect manipulation.
-
Apply skepticism: An image that perfectly supports your narrative deserves extra scrutiny, not less.
Building Verification Habits
Making verification automatic requires practice:
For Personal Use
- Pause before sharing emotionally charged images
- Bookmark verification tools for quick access
- Follow fact-checkers on your preferred platforms
For Professional Use
- Establish verification protocols for your team
- Never use unverified images in presentations or publications
- Document your verification process for accountability
For Organizations
- Train staff on AI detection basics
- Create clear policies for image verification
- Designate fact-checking responsibility to specific team members
The Platforms Won’t Save You
President Sheinbaum blamed Meta for not labeling the AI image. While platforms should do better, her excuse reveals a dangerous assumption: that someone else will protect us from misinformation.
The reality:
- Platform labels are inconsistent at best
- AI detection is an arms race platforms are losing
- Economic incentives favor engagement over accuracy
- Verification will always be personal responsibility
Conclusion: Trust, But Verify
The era of taking images at face value is over. AI has made it trivially easy to create convincing fake photos, and the technology will only improve.
The good news? Verification tools are also improving, and they are free. The skills you develop today will protect you tomorrow.
Remember: If Mexico’s president, with all her resources and staff, can fall for AI slop, the rest of us need to be even more vigilant.
The question isn’t whether you’ll encounter AI-generated images. It’s whether you’ll be able to spot them.
Quick Reference: Verification Resources
AI Detection:
Reverse Image Search:
Fact-Checking Organizations: