Donald Trump's glittering vision for Gaza, filled with futuristic coastline skyscrapers, has been flagged as likely AI-generated by technology experts. The US president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, presented the plans to world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, showcasing a slideshow of the war-ravaged strip transformed with gleaming towers and new urban developments.
AI Detection Tools Raise Red Flags
Metro consulted three tech specialists to analyse the slides using advanced AI detection tools. These systems employ sophisticated algorithms to identify subtle signs that differentiate computer-generated images from human-created ones. The experts concluded that the Trump administration's $25 billion proposal images are probably the product of artificial intelligence.
High Probability of AI Content
Dr Marco Ramilli, a cybersecurity expert and CEO of identifAI, a deepfake tracking company, stated: 'The mock-ups of the Gaza cityscapes appear to be AI-generated. Although absolute certainty cannot be guaranteed, the adversarial AI models used by identifAI have indicated, with a very high degree of probability, the presence of AI-generated content.' Adversarial AI is specifically designed to detect deepfakes, and Dr Ramilli noted that despite the low-resolution nature of the slideshow images, the platform's confidence level remains very high.
Architectural Inconsistencies Highlighted
Nathan Marlor, head of data and AI at Version 1, pointed out several reasons why the 'Coastal Tourism' image might be fabricated. 'Flowing, organic tower shapes with greenery draped over them are very characteristic of current AI image generators,' Marlor explained. 'They look impressive at a glance but there's no actual architectural substance; real buildings have floors, structural logic, and distinct materials.' He added that an image of 'New Rafah' shows a single building repeated hundreds of times, a common flaw in AI-generated concepts.
Marlor further emphasised: 'The giveaway with AI-generated concept imagery is that it's very good at surfaces and very bad at substance. Everything here has that smooth, even quality – the lighting, the water, the vegetation. It looks like the idea of a futuristic city rather than an actual proposal grounded in engineering or urban planning.'
Deepfake Detector Confirms Findings
VerifyLabs.AI, a deepfake detection firm, also assessed the images and found indications they were created using digital rendering tools. Nick Knupffer, the company's CEO, commented: 'Developers often use AI technology to convert 2D designs into 3D models. However, this also highlights a critical issue. When highly polished images are shared without clear context, it becomes increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between legitimate visualisations and AI-generated content designed to mislead.'
He warned: 'As more people are exposed to increasingly realistic deepfakes, even imagery shared in good faith creates confusion and mistrust.' The White House has been approached for comment on these allegations.
Context of the Gaza Proposal
The images were unveiled by the Board of Peace, which Trump states will oversee the Israel-Hamas truce. Kushner outlined that Gaza, a coastal enclave roughly a third the size of London, would be rebuilt in phases, with construction in Rafah estimated to take about three years. The mock-ups suggest building approximately 75 medical facilities and over 200 educational centres in Rafah.
Current Devastation in Gaza
This proposal comes against a backdrop of severe destruction. Israel has damaged or destroyed more than two-thirds of Gaza's buildings, leaving 42 million tonnes of rubble. The United Nations estimates it will take 14 years to clear this debris. Additionally, the UN reported last year that Israeli forces damaged 125 medical facilities and 34 hospitals. After two years of violence, 97% of education facilities in Gaza were flattened, leaving 658,000 children without schools.
The piles of mangled metal and concrete have also released hazardous materials into the air, posing health risks for the 2.1 million Gazans in the region. This stark reality contrasts sharply with the futuristic, AI-generated visions presented in Davos.
