Bengaluru: A Bengaluru-based startup founder has come under fire on social media after revealing that images of his company’s newly opened office, shared as part of a milestone announcement, were created using artificial intelligence.
Ayush Agarwal, founder of Dodo Payments, announced on X that the fintech startup had moved into a new office in Indiranagar. Alongside the post, he shared a series of visually striking images showing what appeared to be a spacious, modern workspace with earthy green and brown interiors.
Office expansion marks company growth
In his post, Agarwal said the move reflected the company’s rapid expansion over the past year. He explained that the startup had previously shifted from a nine-seater office to a 30-seater workspace, expecting it to accommodate future growth. However, the team expanded much faster than anticipated, forcing employees to work from two different offices.
He added that the new office, nearly three times larger than the previous one, had reunited the entire team under one roof. Agarwal also said the space would be opened to Bengaluru’s startup community for builder meet-ups and events.
AI-generated images trigger online criticism
While many initially congratulated the company on its growth, several social media users began questioning the authenticity of the office photographs. They pointed to unusual shadows, oddly shaped objects and overly polished interiors as signs that the images had been generated or heavily enhanced using AI.
As the discussion gained traction, the post crossed 10.9 million views on X. Agarwal later acknowledged that the visuals were AI-generated, intensifying the debate over transparency in corporate communication and the ethical use of AI-generated content.
Several users criticised the decision, arguing that a real office should have been showcased through genuine photographs rather than AI-created visuals. Others questioned why the company had not disclosed the use of AI from the outset.
The incident has reignited conversations about authenticity in marketing and the need for businesses to clearly label AI-generated content, particularly when presenting real-world products, workplaces or achievements.