Police in Singapore have charged a man who is accused of posting an AI-generated image of a saltwater crocodile in a popular reservoir.
Ye Lin was charged with communicating a false message and obstructing the course of justice for allegedly deleting the picture and the application he used.
The fake image caused public concern, authorities allege. The national water agency suspended its work at the city-state's largest reservoir for two days last month after receiving information that a crocodile had been spotted.
Ye Lin, who is from Myanmar, told the court through an interpreter that he intended to plead guilty, according to local media reports.
Image source, Singapore's National Water AgencyImage caption, The Pandan Reservoir is a popular jogging and kayaking spot west of the city centre
The national water agency said it was alerted to a crocodile sighting in Pandan Reservoir on 20 August. Agency officials and national parks staff conducted search and capture operations in the area. The Singapore Rowing Association and Singapore Canoe Federation were told the suspend their activities.
But the following day, the water agency confirmed that the crocodile image was fake and reported it to the police.
The case will return to court in November and Ye Lin could face a prison sentence and a large fine if he is found guilty.
In Singapore, sending a false message is punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of up to S$10,000 (about US$7,800; £5,900), or both. Obstructing justice carries up to seven years in prison, a fine, or both.
Police allege that Ye Lin created the photo of the crocodile using artificial intelligence before sending it to a colleague.
"The man subsequently deleted the image and the related application in an attempt to conceal his actions," the police statement said.
It is not clear how the national water agency was notified of the false photo that Ye Lin sent to his colleague.
