A social media user on X, Enori, has issued a public apology after admitting she fabricated an image of an exploded Itel Power Tank using artificial intelligence.
The image, posted on X earlier in the week, claimed the product exploded due to overcharging.
The post was later deleted after attracting widespread attention, with Enori admitting the incident never occurred.
In a video shared on X, Enori said the claim and the accompanying image were AI-generated.
‘Hi, good morning, everybody. I made a post three days ago claiming that an Itel solar fan exploded and that it was overcharging, which I created using AI. It didn’t happen, and I’m very, very sorry to the Itel team and to the Itel customers,’ she said.
She also apologised to members of the public who were misled by the post.
‘I’m very, very sorry. I know what it feels like to have a brand and for someone to just try to bring it down, and it was never my intention. I didn’t know it would go this far. I didn’t even think of it, and I’ll never do it again,’ she said.
Enori further clarified that the picture in circulation was not from a real incident.
‘To the incoming customers that may have felt deceived, or angry, or felt like or believed that it was real, it was not real. It was AI, and I deleted it,’ she said.
Her apology came shortly after Itel issued a disclaimer on Wednesday addressing the viral image, which purportedly showed an Itel Power Tank after an explosion allegedly triggered by overcharging.
The electronics company described the image as fabricated and warned that it would take legal action against individuals who intentionally circulate AI-generated images or false content to discredit its products.
In a disclaimer posted on X, Itel said it would not condone attempts to tarnish its brand or mislead customers with false claims.
According to the company, deliberate attempts to misrepresent its brand through fabricated content, manipulated materials, or false claims would attract appropriate legal action, and it would explore all legal remedies available to safeguard its reputation, customers, and brand integrity.
Itel promotes the Power Tank as a portable power station designed as a backup during power outages.
The company said the product uses lithium iron phosphate batteries and includes multiple safety features, including a battery management system and over-temperature, over-voltage, overload, and short-circuit protection.
No verified report links an Itel Power Tank to the explosion depicted in the AI-generated image.