How to Tell if an Image is AI Generated

As artificial intelligence continues to produce an increasing amount of visual content online, the ability to distinguish between real and AI-generated images has become crucial for internet users.

Texture and resolution inconsistencies: AI-generated images often display irregularities in texture and resolution due to current technological limitations.

• Look for areas of unnatural smoothness or blurring where continuous textural patterns should exist.
• These discrepancies are typically more noticeable in the background, midground, and side frames of the image, rather than in the main focal areas.

Anatomical errors: While AI has made significant progress in this area, it still struggles with certain aspects of human anatomy.

• Pay attention to visual proportions of arms and legs, fine details around toes, fingers, and teeth, as well as the precise location of facial features.
• Errors can range from subtle to obvious, but they are telltale signs of AI-generated or edited images.
• If something about the people in the picture doesn’t look quite right, but you can’t pinpoint why, it’s likely AI-generated.

AI image detection tools: As the prevalence of deepfakes increases, several reliable AI image detection tools have emerged.

• Sightengine and Hive are two trustworthy options, both offering free versions of their AI picture detection feature.
• These tools provide a percentage indicator of which specific mainstream AI platform was used to produce the image, such as Midjourney, Dall-E, or Firefly.
• A recent study by the University of Rochester and the University of Kentucky found Sightengine to have the highest accuracy in the current marketplace for AI detection.
• However, it’s recommended to use multiple tools for cross-verification, as no single tool is infallible.

Shadow and lighting inconsistencies: Current generative AI technologies often struggle with accurately recreating realistic lighting and shadows.

• Look for visual irregularities that don’t align with natural light and shadow patterns.
• Pay attention to shadows that are too dark or too light in relation to the ambient light in the image.
• Check if shadows are cast in directions that don’t match the directional light sources within the picture.

AI watermarking: Some AI tools automatically place subtle watermarks or patterns on the free versions of their generated images.

• This practice serves as an incentive for users to upgrade to paid versions that produce images without watermarks.
• AI watermarks are one of the easiest indicators to spot when trying to identify AI-generated images.

Considerations for evaluating AI detection tools: As AI technology rapidly evolves, detection methods must keep pace to remain effective.

• Understand the potential inaccuracies and limitations of current detection methods.
• Always consider the source and context of the image in question.
• Use multiple tools for cross-verification purposes.
• Stay informed about the latest advancements and updates in AI detection technology.

The ongoing battle between AI generation and detection: As both fields continue to advance, new tools will emerge on both sides of the equation.

• The hope is that AI generation and detection capabilities will remain balanced.
• The next installment in this series will explore tips, tactics, and tools for identifying AI-generated written content.

Looking ahead: As AI technology continues to advance, the challenge of distinguishing between real and artificial content will likely become more complex.

• The human eye and intuition may soon be insufficient for accurate detection, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about emerging detection tools and techniques.
• As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated, it will be crucial for users to develop a critical eye and utilize multiple verification methods to navigate the digital landscape effectively.