PIB debunks AI-generated videos of Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan; blames Pakistani propaganda accounts

The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check Unit on Saturday dismissed viral AI-generated videos of Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan as fake, warning that they were being circulated to spread misinformation.

According to the PIB, both videos were digitally altered using artificial intelligence and falsely attributed statements to the ministers that they never made. The fact-checking agency further alleged that the clips were being amplified by Pakistani propaganda accounts as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.

Piyush Goyal alleges AI deepfake

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said a deepfake video had maliciously altered his remarks made to the media outside Parliament to falsely portray his comments on the ongoing student protests.

“My remarks to the media outside Parliament have been maliciously doctored using AI to create and circulate a deepfake video in an attempt to spread misinformation,” Goyal wrote in a post on X.

He said he had filed a police complaint, following which an FIR was registered at Delhi’s Chanakyapuri Police Station at 4:35 am on July 25.

Warning of strict legal action, Goyal said those responsible for creating, circulating or amplifying the alleged deepfake would be held accountable.

“The irresponsible misuse of artificial intelligence to mislead the public cannot and will not be tolerated,” he said, urging citizens to rely only on verified sources for information.

PIB calls viral clip ‘AI-generated’

The PIB Fact Check Unit also issued a public alert, alleging that Pakistani propaganda accounts were sharing a fabricated video claiming Goyal had made threatening remarks against protesting students.

“Fake Video Alert!” the PIB said, adding that the clip was “AI-generated” and that the Union minister “did NOT make any such statement regarding the Delhi protest.”

The agency shared what it described as the original, unedited video and urged people to report suspicious content through its official fact-checking platform.

Dharmendra Pradhan video also flagged

In a separate advisory, the PIB fact-checked another viral video purportedly showing Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan making controversial remarks.

The agency said the video had been digitally manipulated and contained “fabricated and baseless claims.”

“Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan did not make any such statement,” the PIB clarified while sharing the original version of the minister’s speech.

The fact-checking unit urged the public to verify sensitive claims through official government sources and remain cautious of AI-generated misinformation circulating on social media.