In  a time when tools like ChatGPT are transforming education, content creation, and research, an Indian contractor has reportedly exploited artificial intelligence for a far less noble purpose—fabricating roadwork completion using AI-generated images.

A video that recently went viral on Instagram has exposed the alleged misuse. In it, a local contractor is seen photographing an unconstructed, damaged road and uploading the image to an AI image generator. He then reportedly instructed the tool to recreate the image as a finished cement concrete (CC) road—complete with clean white markings, smooth edges, and a drainage system.

In moments, the AI delivered a convincing “after” image. The contractor is believed to have sent this fabricated version to a government engineer on WhatsApp, captioning it: “Road completed.” According to reports, the engineer approved the bill without any physical inspection of the site.

While the incident has drawn laughter for its ingenuity, it also shines a spotlight on a serious lapse in administrative verification. Civil projects traditionally require on-site evaluation before funds are cleared. But with government departments increasingly relying on digital updates and WhatsApp for communication, such loopholes are becoming easier to exploit.

Though ChatGPT doesn’t create images, it is suspected that the contractor used AI tools like Midjourney or DALL·E, possibly combined with ChatGPT-generated prompts to craft the manipulated photo. As one Twitter user put it, “This is not just digital fraud—it’s a governance loophole. Earlier, work wasn’t done, and bills got passed with a signature. Now, it’s ‘make it with AI, send it, and the money comes in.’”

The clip, shared by Instagram user “naughtyworld,” has quickly racked up millions of views. While some viewers praised the tech-savviness, others expressed alarm at the implications.

“This is just the beginning. AI can now be used to deceive the government itself,” one user warned. Another added, “Forget smart cities. This is smart corruption.”

The incident has fueled widespread calls on social media for stronger regulation of AI use, more transparent public work verification processes, and a legal probe into the matter. Experts caution that if left unchecked, this could open the door to more sophisticated forms of digital fraud in governance.