Introduction

In today's digital age, the proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has made it increasingly difficult to discern what is real and what is AI-generated. This challenge has significant implications, especially as we consume vast amounts of information through social media. Experts like Siwei Lyu from the University at Buffalo's Media Forensics Lab stress the importance of skepticism when viewing online content to avoid falling victim to misinformation.

The Importance of Skepticism

Lyu emphasizes that our understanding of world events heavily relies on audio-visual information obtained from social media. The ability of individuals to manipulate images and videos can profoundly influence public opinion, decisions in political campaigns, and even daily choices, like product purchases. For example, during the Los Angeles wildfires, various AI-generated images caused widespread confusion about the situation on the ground.

Signs of AI-Generated Content

While experts acknowledge that generative AI is advancing rapidly, they have outlined several current indicators that can help determine if a photo or video is AI-generated. Here are the key signs to look for:

1. Inspect Hands and Arms

One of the most noticeable markers of AI-generated images is the depiction of human hands and arms. According to Lyu, when two people hug, their limbs may appear twisted or disproportionate, highlighting the limitations of current AI technology in accurately replicating human anatomy.

2. Analyze Physical Laws

AI-generated content often fails to respect real-world physics. Current models may not accurately portray how objects interact with one another or how they should be positioned based on gravity and spatial relationships.

3. Observe Movement

In videos, the physical movements of people can serve as a telltale sign. Jerky, unnatural movements are a red flag. Human beings move fluidly and naturally, while AI can struggle to replicate this.

4. Examine Lighting and Shadows

Inconsistencies in lighting can betray an AI image. If the light appears to be shining from a specific angle, verifying that shadows are cast in the logical opposite direction is crucial. Surreal lighting can indicate manipulation.

5. Look into the Eyes

Highly realistic human faces in AI-generated content often lack genuinely human qualities, especially in the eyes. Pupil shapes tend to deviate from the perfect circles seen in real humans, hinting at fakes.

6. Check Mouth and Teeth

Another giveaway in AI-generated videos is the depiction of mouths and teeth. Flaws in lip syncing and irregularities in the shape of teeth across frames can expose the unnaturalness of AI-generated speech. In contrast to real human mouths, AI renders may lack anatomical detail, leading to hollow appearances.

7. Listen for Speech Qualities

The audio quality of AI-generated voices often lacks natural elements, like breathing sounds and pauses. Human speech naturally includes such characteristics, which current AI technologies struggle to replicate adequately.

8. Be Wary of Too-Perfect Images

Excessively polished visuals are another warning sign. Generative AI sometimes delivers images that appear too smooth or unrealistically perfect, lacking the randomness found in genuine photographs.

9. Detect Repetitiveness

In both images and videos, look for repetitions in the background. Plagiarism in the same figure or object appearing numerous times can suggest that AI generated the content.

10. Observe Blinking Patterns

For videos, the pattern of eye blinking offers clues. If a character blinks at a consistent rate—like every ten seconds—it may indicate that the video is AI-generated rather than authentic.

Verify the Source

As generative AI continues to develop, validating the authenticity of a photo or video becomes increasingly important. Always check the source and whether the content aligns with credible news reports. Is the provenance of the content known? Does the platform it’s shared from mention AI? Researching these aspects can help prevent the spread of misinformation.

Conclusion

The rise of AI-generated content presents a challenging landscape for media consumption. Maintaining skepticism and proactively investigating the authenticity of photos and videos will empower consumers in this digitally-driven world, allowing them to make informed decisions and avoid being misled.