Sometimes Even Trained Eyes Get It Wrong When It Comes To AI Generated Images
- The White Hatter
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Anyone, including retired and actively serving law enforcement officers can be misled by what circulates online. That reality became clear just this past week when we came across a widely shared social media post from a police officer paying tribute to a fallen U.S. trooper from Pennsylvania.
The post read as follows:
“The Pennsylvania State Police have announced with deep sorrow the off-duty passing of Trooper Peter K. Conforti. Trooper Conforti joined the PSP in April 2016 and proudly served with Troop L in Hamburg, dedicating himself to duty and service. At this time, no additional information has been released. Our thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Conforti’s family, loved ones, and his extended Blue family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace and his service never be forgotten.”
On the surface, the post appeared respectful, credible, and sincere. It quickly gained traction, receiving more than 428 likes and 102 comments in less than 48 hours. Most of the engagement came from serving and retired first responders, primarily law enforcement.
When we looked more closely at the image accompanying the tribute, two discrepancies stood out immediately.
#1/ The nameplate on the uniform did not match the last name “Conforti” referenced in the post.
#2/ The shoulder patch was visibly distorted. Lettering was misspelled and the design elements were inconsistent with an authentic Pennsylvania State Police shoulder flash.
Those details matter!
After doing some online fact checking, we learned that Trooper Conforti had in fact passed away in July 2024, nearly two years earlier (1)(2). The image used in the recent post was not a real photograph of him. When compared with an authentic image from the time of his death, the differences were clear.
The conclusion was unavoidable. The image circulating in the post was AI generated.
Why that image was created or reused remains unclear. What is clear is the broader lesson. More than one hundred trained investigators, people whose careers depend on observation, verification, and skepticism, engaged with and shared a post that contained fabricated visual information.
This is not a criticism of law enforcement, it is a reminder. If experienced professionals can be misled by emotionally framed content paired with convincing AI generated imagery, anyone can be. Context, emotion, and trust cues often override critical review, especially when a post aligns with shared values like respect for service and loss.
At The White Hatter, this is exactly why we emphasize digital literacy over digital fear. The issue is not intelligence or intent, it’s exposure to tools that are designed to look real, feel authentic, and move quickly through trusted networks.
In an onlife world, verification matters more than ever. Slowing down, checking sources, and questioning visuals are no longer optional skills. They are essential, even for those who know better, and especially for those who believe they cannot be fooled.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
