Tinubu–Kagame Paris photo with Grok watermark sparks online debate over AI use in official government communications
A photograph reportedly showing President Bola Tinubu meeting Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Paris has sparked debate online after users noticed a Grok watermark on the image.
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The picture, shared on Tinubu’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account, carried the signature of Grok, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company.
Grok provides real-time search, image generation and other AI-powered functions.
The image was also circulated by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President on New Media, intensifying reactions on social media.
Several X users criticised the post, questioning why an AI-generated image was used to document a high-level diplomatic engagement.
Olayinka, tweeting as #mickoly, wrote, “Where in Europe is Tinubu? Why post #grok generated photo? No real photo from the meeting?”
Another user, Joshua Siyanbola (#JoshuaSiyanbol4), added, “The picture seems to be AI generated image. Infact, it carry Grok signature. I believe we can do better.”
Others, including #sonickay and #GospelLogic, also highlighted the presence of the watermark and called for clarity regarding the President’s whereabouts and the image’s origin.
As of the time of filing, neither the Presidency nor Tinubu’s media aides had provided an official explanation for the AI watermark or the source of the photograph.
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The incident has reignited broader conversations on the use of artificial intelligence in official government communications and the importance of transparency in public information dissemination.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
