Detecting AI image manipulation: Key signs to watch out for

Artificial Intelligence has come a long way in recent years, and now it’s easier than ever for machines to create images that look incredibly realistic.

While this technology has many exciting uses, it also opens the door to potential misuse and confusion. Whether it’s a social media post, news article, or even an advertisement, knowing how to spot AI-generated images can help you separate fact from fiction.

Here are some tell-tale signs to look out for:

Check the eyes and face symmetry

One of the easiest ways to detect an AI-generated face is to focus on the eyes:

• Uneven eye positioning: The eyes might not be level or aligned properly.

• Asymmetrical facial features: Humans have naturally asymmetrical faces, but in AI images, this can often be exaggerated, resulting in features that appear too perfect or oddly out of place.

• Weird reflections or inconsistent lighting: The light in one eye might not match the light in the other, which rarely happens in real photos.

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Look at the background and surroundings

AI often struggles with background details, creating strange and inconsistent patterns:

• Warped objects: Look for distorted elements in the background, like buildings with twisted lines or patterns that don’t make sense.

• Blurry or undefined areas: AI-generated images might have parts of the background that are strangely out of focus or look like a poorly done Photoshop job.

Pay Attention to small details

AI tends to mess up on the details that humans would never overlook:

• Odd hand shapes: AI-generated images often have hands with extra or missing fingers, odd poses, or unnatural positions.

• Inconsistent accessories: Glasses, earrings, or hats may look uneven or blend awkwardly with the person’s face or hair.

• Unnatural hairlines: Hair might have unnatural textures, with strands that appear to merge into the background or look oddly spaced.

Notice any visual artifacts

Visual artifacts are mistakes that appear in an image as a result of the AI’s processing:

• Repetitive patterns: AI sometimes creates repetitive patterns or textures that don’t occur naturally.

• Glitches or pixelation: Look for areas that seem poorly rendered or low in quality, particularly around the edges of objects or facial features.

Use reverse image search tools

If you’re not sure whether an image is AI-generated or real, you can use reverse image search tools like Google Images or TinEye:

• Upload or paste the image URL to see where it has appeared online.

• If the image exists in multiple variations or has been posted before in different contexts, it might be AI-generated.

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Look for the source and context

When you encounter an image that looks too good to be true, question its origin:

• Check the credibility of the source: Is it from a trusted news site or a known individual?

• Search for additional context: If the image is used without a clear story or background, it could be AI-created.

AI detection software

There are now AI detection tools specifically designed to help spot AI-generated content:

• Deepware Scanner and Sensity AI can analyze images to detect signs of AI manipulation.

• These tools can often reveal the fingerprints of AI image generation, helping you determine if an image is genuine.

Examples to look at

Below are two images: one real and one generated by AI. Can you spot which is which? Look closely at the eyes, the background, and the small details.

The small imperfections in Image 1 are a sign of AI generation, while Image 2 appears more natural despite being an AI creation.

Why it matters

Understanding how to spot AI-generated images is important because these images can be used to spread misinformation or create fake identities. Being aware of the signs can help you make informed decisions and question the validity of the images you encounter.