Lesson 1
Detect AI in Digital Images
Look for specific visual flaws that indicate computer-generated manipulation.
Inspect the details
AI often struggles with physical logic. Zoom in on hands, fingers, and teeth. Are there six fingers? Do the teeth blend into a single mass? Check backgrounds for 'melting' structures or impossible geometry where fences or walls warp unexpectedly.
Examine light and shadow
Lighting in AI images often lacks physical consistency. Look at the shadows cast by objects. Do they point in different directions from the primary light source? Is the lighting on faces uniform even when the background suggests multiple sources?
Use technical tools
Perform a reverse image search using engines like Google Lens or TinEye. If the image is widely distributed, you will find the original source. If the search turns up nothing or many low-quality AI-style variants, be highly sceptical. Never trust an image that lacks a verifiable provenance, especially if it depicts a controversial event or person.