A social media user, Enori, has apologised after admitting that an image claiming to show an exploded Itel Power Tank was created using artificial intelligence and did not depict a real incident.
The image had circulated on X earlier in the week alongside a claim that the power station exploded because it was overcharged. The post was later deleted after attracting significant attention.
In a video shared on X, Enori acknowledged that both the claim and the accompanying image were fabricated.
She apologised to Itel, its customers and members of the public who may have been misled by the post.
Enori said she did not expect the post to attract such widespread attention and acknowledged that the image could have created a false impression about the product.
She also clarified that the image circulating online was not evidence of an actual Itel Power Tank explosion and was generated using AI.
The apology came after Itel issued a public disclaimer concerning the image. The company described the material as fabricated and warned against the deliberate circulation of AI-generated images or false claims intended to damage its reputation or mislead customers.
Itel said it would consider available legal options against individuals involved in deliberately spreading fabricated content concerning its products.
The company markets the Power Tank as a portable power station intended to provide backup power during outages. It has also stated that the product uses lithium iron phosphate batteries and incorporates safety features designed to protect against conditions including overheating, over-voltage, overloading and short circuits.
There is no verified report establishing that an Itel Power Tank was involved in the explosion depicted in the AI-generated image.
The incident highlights the potential for AI-generated images to be mistaken for genuine photographs, particularly when they are shared alongside claims about real products or events.