Often, there are instances where AI-generated images are easy to recognize but there are also cases where people generate such images that cannot be distinguished without carefully examining their details.
What is somewhat unsettling is that more and more often, when we see an image, we question its authenticity: whether it has been captured through a lens or it is something that has been created based on a written definition and then generated. That is why nowadays we tend to pay more attention to images, trying to determine if they’re real or artificially created.
Three ways to identify AI-generated images
1. Focus on the details
The quality of AI-generated images is constantly improving, and the best ones are now nearly indistinguishable from real photos, however, they often have subtle details that still set them apart.
AI-generated images are created using data extracted from other photos, causing AI programs to frequently struggle with details less commonly found in real images. Artificial intelligence can most often and most easily be observed in the generation of people. AI consistently struggles in these areas because it cannot generate images with, for example, the correct number of fingers, well-positioned legs, accurate body structure, realistic hair density and appearance, facial features, and more.
Most people have five fingers on each hand, two hands and two feet. But in AI-generated images, they may have six fingers or undifferentiated claws, which is why you should pay attention to the figures in the background, and there’s a high probability that there may be an extra finger, glowing hands, etc.
Furthermore, AI-generated hair strands often lack clearly defined beginnings and ends and can appear painted-on when examined closely. Note that standard image compression can also create strange distortions.
2. Look for perfection
Another certain way to identify an AI-generated image is to check if it looks too perfect. AI-generated images often lack the detail that can be found in real images, leading to these photos having a “strikingly flawless” appearance.
Very often, people use artificial intelligence to manipulate images of famous individuals from around the world, altering them to their liking – resulting in the image having an overly sharp, smooth look.
Another example of an image that can be made with artificial intelligence is the location. AI-generated images are quite often set in a perfect location or a fantasy world, and while there may indeed be, for example, a flock of flamingos in the background of the photo, their mere presence in such an environment indicates that something is not quite right.
Additionally, fabrics and textures are known to be difficult to render in AI-generated images, which is why it is important to be careful in this segment as well when analyzing a specific photo or video.
3. Reverse image search
If you’ve looked at the hands and faces and still have difficulties figuring out whether the image is AI-generated, another useful option is to perform a so-called “reverse image search.” This method locates other instances of the photo on the web, which can be very helpful in determining whether an image is AI-generated or authentic.
In general, AI-generated images will appear in fewer instances compared to real ones, resulting in fewer occurrences when doing a reverse image search.
A reverse search can also help you find the original source of the image, which may provide clues to determine if it is AI-generated, through using the hashtags or the source name. Another factor to consider is the credibility of the website where the image was found.
Are there more images that show the same thing? Compare them! Creating multiple photos of the same space from different angles and at different times is trivial in the real world, but an absolute reality when it comes to artificial intelligence. Even video generators such as Sora, which can create videos that move through virtual space, rarely go back to show something they've strayed from, as doing so reveals that they've "forgotten" what was originally there.
If an image looks suspicious enough, take a step back and think about whether you should trust your gut. The image may not be AI-generated at all – but it could still be the result of an AI face swap, photoshopped the old-fashioned way, completely staged or even just plain false (a so-called “cheap fake”). Just because something isn’t AI-generated doesn’t mean it showcases the entire truth.