Current:Home > StocksA Winnie the Pooh crockpot captures social media's attention. The problem? It's not real. -Wealthify
A Winnie the Pooh crockpot captures social media's attention. The problem? It's not real.
View
Date:2025-04-14 10:04:20
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! (855)
Related
- RFK Jr. grilled again about moving to California while listing New York address on ballot petition
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Ranking
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Recommendation
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall