AI-generated image of durian farm in Malaysia raises stink over land dispute

An image of a durian farm conjured up by artificial intelligence has heightened tensions over alleged rampant illegal plantations of the valuable fruit in Malaysia’s Pahang state, opening up debate on the power of generative AI to cause real-world problems.

A long-running dispute over control of the state’s lucrative durian trade has bubbled over in recent weeks, with allegations of orchards encroaching on government land and farmers attempting to block efforts to fell their trees.

The trespass claims prompted state ruler Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah to say that his “blood boils” at the alleged encroachment.

On Tuesday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it had questioned a man who uploaded an AI image of durian fruit growing on a tree surrounded by deep forest and a clearing with a caption suggesting it was taken at a yet-to-be-discovered “hidden spot”.

“The content is believed to have been generated using artificial intelligence, and as a result, various speculations and negative perceptions have arisen among the public regarding illegal planters in the Raub district, Pahang,” the MCMC said.

The image, posted in the Prompters Malaya Facebook group – a community dedicated to generative AI – was later shared outside the group without context, fuelling public belief that additional illegal farms were hidden in the area’s dense forests.