Current:Home > MyA Winnie the Pooh crockpot captures social media's attention. The problem? It's not real. -Thrive Success Strategies
A Winnie the Pooh crockpot captures social media's attention. The problem? It's not real.
View
Date:2025-04-13 09:42:45
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! (941)
Related
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Millie Bobby Brown details romance with fiancé Jake Bongiovi, special connection to engagement ring
- NASCAR driver Ryan Preece released from hospital after terrifying crash
- The Fate of The Idol Revealed Following Season One
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- 3M agrees to pay $6 billion to settle earplug lawsuits from U.S. service members
- Jessie James Decker Shares Pregnancy Reaction After Husband Eric's Vasectomy Didn't Happen
- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to call on Democrats to codify ‘Obamacare’ into state law
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Alaska report details 280 missing Indigenous people, including whether disappearances are suspicious
Ranking
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Duke Energy braces for power outages ahead of Hurricane Idalia
- Convicted ex-Ohio House speaker moved to Oklahoma prison to begin his 20-year sentence
- Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev Celebrate First Wedding Anniversary in the Sweetest Way
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- ‘Gran Turismo’ takes weekend box office crown over ‘Barbie’ after all
- The Obamas attended the US Open and the former first lady spoke in honor of Billie Jean King
- Mark Meadows argues GA election call 'part of my role'; Idalia strengthens: 5 Things podcast
Recommendation
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Missouri law banning minors from beginning gender-affirming treatments takes effect
Mega Millions $1 million ticket unclaimed in Iowa; Individual has two weeks before it expires
Fans run onto field and make contact with Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr.
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Republican lawyer, former university instructor stabbed to death in New Hampshire home
Mark Meadows argues GA election call 'part of my role'; Idalia strengthens: 5 Things podcast
Into the raunchy, violent danger zone of 'Archer' one last time