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A viral social media trend featuring purple apples has sparked curiosity and confusion among fruit enthusiasts, leading to an influx of inquiries at Saskatchewan orchards. However, the images circulating online are not real but artificially generated.
Rachelle Hofmeister, a horticulturist at Dutch Growers in Regina, confirmed the nonexistence of these purple apples. "It looks amazing. It would be so fun. But, unfortunately, it is not real," Hofmeister told CTV News.
The artificial images, originally posted on Instagram by user Unnaturalist AI, depict vibrant purple apples with violet interiors. The post claimed the apples originated from Saskatchewan, thriving in the cold climate and tasting like "cinnamon and banana."
Despite the clear indication of artificial creation, the images quickly spread across social media platforms, prompting viewers to inquire about the taste and availability of these nonexistent fruits.
"We've had lots of apples that have been developed in Saskatchewan, but none of them are purple," Hofmeister explained. "They all have white flesh and red skin."
The viral nature of these artificial images has led to real-world consequences, with some people reportedly making trips to Saskatchewan produce sellers in search of the purple apples.
Hofmeister noted that the garden center in Regina frequently receives inquiries whenever AI-generated plant images go viral. She added that customers typically "feel a little bit silly that they thought it was real" upon learning the truth.
This incident highlights the rapid spread of misinformation facilitated by artificial intelligence technology. While this particular case may seem harmless, experts warn that the proliferation of AI-generated content can have more serious implications.
In May 2023, an AI-generated image of a fake explosion at the Pentagon circulated on social media, causing brief market fluctuations and widespread confusion.
As AI technology continues to advance, distinguishing between real and artificially generated content becomes increasingly challenging for the public, emphasizing the need for critical evaluation of online information.
