WHAT WAS CLAIMED
An image shows the deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji in Washington DC with a woman sitting in his lap.
OUR VERDICT
False. The image is AI generated.
AAP FACTCHECK - An image purporting to show a Fijian central banker with a woman sitting on his lap in a Washington DC restaurant is AI-generated.
The image, shared on social media, supposedly shows Esala Masitabua, deputy governor of Fiji's Reserve Bank.
But Google's AI image detection software confirms it contains an invisible SynthID watermark confirming it was created with OpenAI's tools.
Several Fiji-based users posted the image on Facebook in October, showing Mr Masitabua with his right arm around a woman sitting in his lap.
A table with food appears in the foreground, while a sign reading "Fiji Embassy Washington DC" is visible in the background.
In addition to the watermark, there are other indicators the image was generated using AI.
The image purports to depict an "Asenaca restaurant" in Washington DC, but there is no record that such a restaurant exists in that city.
The Fiji coat of arms in the background also contains errors.
The traditional Fijian canoe shown at the top of the coat of arms is different to that in the genuine version, and the four symbols in the shield appear incorrect or misshapen.
Another Facebook post using the image includes Facebooks "AI content" label, indicating the content "may have been created with AI".
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