Current:Home > NewsA Winnie the Pooh crockpot captures social media's attention. The problem? It's not real. -BeyondProfit Compass
A Winnie the Pooh crockpot captures social media's attention. The problem? It's not real.
NovaQuant View
Date:2025-04-07 13:59:43
Oh, bother!
Winnie the Pooh lovers were recently let down when an AI-generated image of a Winnie the Pooh crockpot being sold at Walmart made its rounds on social media.
Although Walmart does sell a Winnie the Pooh crockpot, this is different from the one going viral online. The doctored image shows a crockpot bearing the smiling face of the Disney character in all his round glory. Covered in flowers, the Pooh-inspired crockpot even includes his iconic red t-shirt and a button in its center to crank the kitchen gadget up.
Walmart did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment but Walmart's website does not appear to have the product in its inventory. The general consensus online from users is that the picture is not authentic. Additionally, the image has all the telltale signs of being fake.
The suspected AI-generated picture was shared on both Reddit and Facebook, leading eager shoppers to ask where they could get their hands on one of the crockpots.
“I want this for my wife,” wrote one Facebook user. “Where can I get it please?”
Another Facebook user inquired about the crockpot as a gift for their granddaughter, adding that she’d love it.
Reddit users talk AI and how to spot fakes
The Winnie the Pooh crockpot also made its way to Reddit. When users began to ask where they could pick one up, others shut it down swiftly.
One Redditor said seeing the crockpot image was the first time they didn’t recognize an image as fake or produced via AI.
But another user said they could tell it was fake because the dial to control the device had nothing on it. And Redditor ariana_mcclair said the letters gave it away.
“AI cannot do letters or numbers correctly or cohesively,” the user wrote. “Look at the ‘goole cure’ and even the squished up ‘Walmart’ on the box in the background.”
The user added that whoever created the image prompted AI to make the crockpot image, then edited “Winnie the Pooh” and crockpot onto the image to make it look real.
Other users were more focused on where to get an actual Winnie the Pooh crockpot since the one pictured wasn’t real.
A quick Google search shows that there are some other Pooh-inspired crockpots on Amazon, BoxLunch, and Walmart as previously mentioned. Whether they will be as much of a hit as the doctored fake crockpot is yet to be seen.
AI images can be dangerous
The crockpot image and others like them have started discussions about how to pursue legal action in more serious cases where AI is used to produce explicit content against those who create them.
Most recently, sexually explicit images of songstress Taylor Swift went viral on X, formerly known as Twitter. As of Monday morning, searches for Taylor Swift on the app lead to a message reading "Something went wrong. Try reloading."
At least 10 states have passed laws banning exploitative deepfake pornography or AI-generated images, audio files or videos with sexual content though, including Texas, Virginia and South Dakota.
There is no federal law regulating it.
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Kayla Jimenez, Elizabeth Weise, and Jeanine Santucci
veryGood! (715)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Climate change likely helped cause deadly Pakistan floods, scientists find
- This Under $10 Vegan & Benzene-Free Dry Shampoo Has 6,300+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews
- Look Back on All of the Love Is Blind Hookups That Happened Off-Camera
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- The Weeknd’s HBO Show The Idol Has a Premiere Date and a Flashy New Trailer
- How climate change is killing the world's languages
- Dozens died trying to cross this fence into Europe in June. This man survived
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Al Gore helped launch a global emissions tracker that keeps big polluters honest
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- A U.N. biodiversity convention aims to slow humanity's 'war with nature'
- People smugglers keep trying to recruit this boat captain. Here's why he says no
- Earth Day 2023: Shop 15 Sustainable Clothing & Home Brands For Effortlessly Eco-Friendly Style
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- A huge winter storm is expected to affect millions across 22 states
- Yung Miami Confirms Breakup With Sean Diddy Combs
- A guide to the types of advisories issued during hurricane season
Recommendation
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
Sofia Richie's Fiancé Elliot Grainge Gives Rare Glimpse Into Their Cozy Home Life
California, hit by a 2nd atmospheric river, is hit again by floods
Climate talks are wrapping up. The thorniest questions are still unresolved.
Trump's 'stop
U.N. plan would help warn people in vulnerable countries about climate threats
U.S. plan for boosting climate investment in low-income countries draws criticism
Climate change is making the weather more severe. Why don't most forecasts mention it?