Anand Mahindra Criticized Online for Posting an AI-Generated Image of Mt. Kailash: “Delete Your WhatsApp”
The WhatsApp uncle is a repeat offender.
Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra and Mahindra and a prominent businessman, has sparked controversy again after sharing a post on X/Twitter without verifying its content. With a substantial follower base exceeding 11.3 million, he posted a captivating image of Mount Kailash, a mountain of significant spiritual importance for Hindus, believed to be the home of the god Shiva. This peak, located in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China, rises to 6,638 meters. The Chinese government prohibits climbing the mountain due to its religious significance, meaning that no one has reached its summit.
In his post, Mahindra stated that it is a peak that no one can climb, but everyone aspires to reach. He remarked that it is a perfect way to define "your core purpose." However, the image of the stunning mountain has been debunked as digitally altered content, created through an artificial intelligence application. The video, generated by Tibetan graphic artists, utilized Midjourney to create lenticular clouds around the mountain.
The online community quickly criticized Mahindra for sharing this video. Some users pointed out that his intent seems to be spreading false videos, while others highlighted that despite his business success, he cannot distinguish between real content and AI-generated content. One recurring complaint directed at Mahindra is that he has previously been called out for sharing misinformation, such as in a case where he promoted an image of the national flag that violated its code.
As the criticisms mounted, one internet user even suggested that he should delete WhatsApp due to his tendency to spread this type of content. This series of reactions underscores the impact of public figures' actions on social platforms and the responsibility they bear when sharing information.
