WHAT WAS CLAIMED
An office building in Honiara was set on fire amid political protests in the Solomon Islands.
OUR VERDICT
False. There was no fire at the building and the image is AI generated.
AAP FACTCHECK - A prominent building in the Solomon Islands was not set on fire amid political riots, despite claims on social media.
The image of the burning building is AI-generated and there are no reports of any such disorder.
One post in Solomon Islands Pijin claims the image shows the outcome of a "Big Riot" at the "NPF Building" at Point Cruz, Honiara.
Another post sharing the image also claims it shows the NPF building.
The image began circulating after the Solomon Islands parliament elected Matthew Wale as the country's new prime minister on May 15.
It followed a vote of no confidence in his predecessor, Jeremiah Manele.
While social media users claim the image shows the National Provident Fund (NPF) building on fire in the capital, Honiara, the actual NPF building is significantly different.
The building is the headquarters of the country's social security fund.
Photos on Google Maps show it has prominent balconies on several floors with blue accents, which are not included in the photos shared across social media.
The social media image appears to have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).
Tech company OpenAI has a tool to verify whether images have been created using its AI generators.
This confirms the social media image contains a hidden watermark indicating it was created using the company's Al.
Solomon Islands police published a statement on May 17 that also said the images of the burning building were AI-generated and urged people not to reshare the posts.
AFP Fact Check has also debunked the image and quoted an NPF spokesperson who said the claims were "entirely fabricated".
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