Leshan Giant Buddha Officials Debunk Viral AI-Generated Maintenance Video

The Leshan Giant Buddha Management Committee debunked a viral video depicting workers extracting debris like pigeons and leaves from the statue's ears and nose, confirming it was completely generated by AI. Officials clarified that no such debris exists inside the statue's ears and that there are no wild monkeys at the site, directly contradicting the viral footage. This incident illustrates the growing threat of realistic synthetic media spreading misinformation about public infrastructure and cultural heritage sites. It highlights the real-world necessity of enforcing AI watermarking regulations to help users distinguish between authentic footage and AI-generated content. Management officials noted that routine maintenance conducted in 2026 focused on rock surface repairs and vegetation removal, not cleaning out the statue's ears or nose. Chinese internet and cultural heritage regulations strictly prohibit creating or spreading fake information regarding historical relics and mandate prominent AI-generated content disclosures.