John Swinney laughs off AI-images of himself over whisky tariffs row
Several AI images have been shared online of John Swinney scaling Everest, walking on Mars, and taking Scotland to the football world cup.
First Minister John Swinney has laughed off a spate of AI-generated images of himself on social media as it “at least represents a sense of humour”.
In the wake of US President Donald Trump announcing he would remove tariffs on imports of Scotch whisky, the SNP put out a social media post which read: “US whisky tariffs removed - John Swinney fought for Scotch whisky and he delivered”.
The Labour Party has hit back at the comments, saying the UK Government, not the First Minister, is the one who secured the tariff removals.
Since then, several AI-generated images of Mr Swinney have appeared on social media appearing to mock the SNP’s image celebrating the tariffs removal.
The images include one of John Swinney as record-breaking marathon runner Sebastian Sawe, saying: “Two-hour marathon barrier broken - John Swinney ran for Scotland, and he delivered”.
Another mocked the First Minister up as footballer Scott McTominay, which said: “Got Scotland to the world cup - scored an overhead kick against Denmark, he delivered.”
Others said: “Built the pyramids at Giza - John Swinney had the vision, and he delivered.”
Another said: “First man on Mars - John Swinney was the first human on Mars, he delivered.”
And another post said: “French and Spanish defeated at Trafalgar - John Swinney fought and he delivered.”
This comes just days after the SNP was accused of using AI to alter an image of Mr Swinney from the campaign trail in Leith.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Mr Swinney said the images were better than the angry comments on social media by Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander saying the First Minister had been “caught red handed”.
Read more: Whisky spat intensifies as John Swinney says Labour Scottish secretary is 'under a lot of stress'
Mr Swinney said: “That’s a slightly better posture than the one the secretary of state adopted this morning, because at least that represents a sense of humour.
“My ability to control memes of me and AI images is not something I’m terribly worried about in life.”
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