Current:Home > reviewsA Winnie the Pooh crockpot captures social media's attention. The problem? It's not real. -MarketStream
A Winnie the Pooh crockpot captures social media's attention. The problem? It's not real.
View
Date:2025-04-16 11:56:42
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! (81)
Related
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Florida gets closer to banning social media for kids under 16
- Join a Senegalese teen on a harrowing journey in this Oscar-nominated film
- Denver police seek help finding a former funeral home owner after body kept in hearse for 2 years
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Dolly Parton Proves She’ll Always Love Beyoncé With Message on Her Milestone
- The Integration of AEC Tokens in the Financial Sector
- What to know about the Harmony Montgomery murder case in New Hampshire
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Bad Bunny kicks off Most Wanted tour in Utah with a horse, floating stages and yeehaw fashion
Ranking
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Kate Spade Outlet’s Surprise Day Deals Are Colorful & Plentiful, with Chic Bags Starting at $59
- Divers retrieve 80-pound brass bell from first U.S. Navy destroyer ever sunk by enemy fire
- Love Is Blind’s Jeramey Lutinski Says He’s Received “Over the Top” Hate Amid Season 6
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- AT&T outage just a preview of what can happen when cell service goes out: How to prepare
- Tiger Woods’ son shoots 86 in pre-qualifier for PGA Tour event
- Private lunar lander is closing in on the first US touchdown on the moon in a half-century
Recommendation
Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
CBP officers seize 6.5 tons of meth in Texas border town bust, largest ever at a port
Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift visit Sydney Zoo after his arrival in Australia for Eras Tour
Untangling the 50-Part Who TF Did I Marry TikTok
Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
7 things you should never ask Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa
ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Fowler and more will be in EA Sports College Football video game
Lionel Messi, Hong Kong situation results in two Argentina friendlies in US this March