NYC Mayor Mistook Viral Messi-Yamal Baby Photo for AI

New York City Mayor Eric Adams admitted he was fooled by a widely shared photograph of Lionel Messi bathing a baby Lamine Yamal, initially believing it to be an artificial intelligence creation. Adams, who prides himself on his technological expertise, confessed his mistake during a press conference.

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As someone who likes to consider myself an expert in technology and capable of distinguishing between an AI-generated image and a real one, I thought the photo of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal was AI.

"As someone who likes to consider myself an expert in technology and capable of distinguishing between an AI-generated image and a real one, I thought the photo of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal was AI," Adams stated. He expressed his excitement about the upcoming World Cup final in New York/New Jersey, where Spain and Argentina will compete for the title.

The iconic photo was taken over 18 years ago, in 2007, when Yamal was just a few months old and Messi was a young star. The image was part of a UNICEF charity calendar. The resurfacing of this photo adds a poignant layer to the narrative of the upcoming World Cup final, where the two players, separated by nearly two decades, will now face each other as rivals.

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That's pretty incredible, so I'm excited. As any classic politician would say, I hope it's a good game.

Adams, when asked about his preferred team for the final, humorously remarked that all his supported teams "have lost." He refrained from explicitly backing either Spain or Argentina, adding, "I have a feeling that, at this point, whoever I choose is going to lose." UNICEF also recently highlighted the moment on its social media, noting that both Messi and Yamal, as Goodwill Ambassadors, use their platforms to advocate for children worldwide.

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I have a feeling that, at this point, whoever I choose is going to lose.