Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday, February 12, 2026, dismissed a viral video that falsely attributed praise of Pakistan’s diplomacy to him, calling the clip a fabricated, AI-generated fake. The video, circulated by a Pakistani propaganda-linked social media account, used a crudely produced voice clone that resembled Tharoor and appeared to applaud Pakistan’s decision to withdraw a proposed boycott of the India–Pakistan T20 World Cup match. “AI-generated ‘fake news’ — and not even very good. Neither my language nor my voice,” Tharoor said, rejecting the clip’s claims.
The purported clip included a voice, presented as Tharoor’s, saying Pakistan’s diplomatic move was “absolute brilliance” and that the Indian cricket board had been “completely pinned.” The audio sought to frame Pakistan’s reversal of its boycott — originally announced in support of Bangladesh and later withdrawn after talks with the ICC — as a diplomatic triumph. Fact-checks by the parties involved have flagged the material as manipulated.
Earlier this week, an AI-altered audio snippet allegedly featuring BCCI vice-president and Congress leader Rajiv Shukla was aired on a Pakistani cricket show on ARY News. The clip suggested Shukla welcomed ICC-led negotiations that ensured Pakistan would play the high-profile match. Shukla responded on X, saying the audio had been manipulated: “A video of my remarks on the India-Pakistan World Cup match has been manipulated using AI to alter the audio. These statements are not mine. I urge everyone not to believe or circulate this misleading content and to report it wherever such videos are seen.”
Shukla also praised the ICC’s role in facilitating the fixture, saying the decision was important for cricket and that “cricket must go on and the World Cup will now be a big success,” adding that the global body had considered the interests of all stakeholders. Observers say the edited clips were aimed at shaping public perception of the Pakistan–ICC standoff, creating a narrative that overstated diplomatic victories after Pakistan reversed its boycott following ICC talks.
The incident highlights growing use of synthetic media in political and sporting disputes and underlines the need for caution when sharing sensational clips online. Authorities and platform moderators are increasingly being urged to detect and remove manipulated content, and public figures are reminding audiences to verify sources before amplifying viral material.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/neither-my-language-nor-my-voice-tharoor-dismisses-ai-generated-video-on-pakistan-13979228.html
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Publish Date: 2026-02-12 23:16:00
