Navigating the World of AI: How to Spot Fake Images, Videos, and Bots September 2, 2024

Artificial intelligence has reached a point where it can generate images, videos, audio, and text that are almost indistinguishable from human-created content. While these advancements are impressive, they also open the door to manipulation and misinformation. With the rise of AI-generated content, it’s crucial to be aware of telltale signs that what you’re seeing might be fake. By understanding the capabilities of current AI technologies and learning how to identify AI-generated disinformation, you can protect yourself from being misled. 

Growing Threat of AI-Generated Disinformation 

Digital technology is increasingly being used to sway public opinion and undermine democratic processes. A report by the World Economic Forum highlights that misinformation and disinformation could disrupt electoral processes globally in the coming years. The proliferation of AI tools has made it easier to create falsified information, ranging from deepfake videos to counterfeit websites, raising concerns among world leaders about the impact on democracy. 

Disinformation, unlike misinformation, is deliberately crafted to deceive. Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, warns that AI-powered disinformation campaigns can now be launched by individuals with modest computing resources, not just state-sponsored actors or well-funded organizations.  scale, speed, and ease of creating fake content are unprecedented, casting doubt on the reliability of everything we read, see, and hear. 

Spotting Fake AI-Generated Images 

AI-generated images have become more prevalent, thanks to tools based on diffusion models. For example, a widely circulated image of Pope Francis in a puffer jacket was entirely AI-generated. Research by Nicholas Dufour at Google shows a rapid increase in the use of AI-generated images in misinformation claims since early 2023. 

To help people identify fake images, researchers have categorized five common errors in AI-generated images: 

1. Sociocultural Implausibilities: Does the scene depict unusual or unlikely behavior for certain cultures or historical figures? 

2. Anatomical Implausibilities: Are body parts like hands, eyes, or mouths unusually shaped or sized? Have any body parts merged? 

3. Stylistic Artefacts: Does the image look unnaturally perfect or stylistic? Is re something odd about the background or lighting? 

4. Functional Implausibilities: Do objects appear bizarre or unrealistic, such as buttons in strange places or belt buckles that don’t make sense? 

5. Violations of Physics: Are shadows inconsistent? Are reflections in mirrors accurate? 

se tips can help you detect AI-generated images, making you more resilient to digital deception. 

Identifying AI-Generated Videos (Deepfakes) 

Deepfakes have been around since 2014, made possible by generative adversarial networks (GANs). se AI-powered videos can digitally manipulate existing footage to swap faces, create new expressions, or sync new audio with video. Deepfakes have been used in various malicious ways, including non-consensual pornography and political disinformation. 

In addition to techniques for spotting fake images, here are six tips to identify AI-generated videos: 

6. Mouth and Lip Movements: Look for moments where video and audio aren’t perfectly synced. 

7. Anatomical Glitches: Does the face or body move unnaturally? 

8. Face Details: Check for inconsistencies in skin smoothness, wrinkles, or facial moles. 

9. Lighting: Are lighting and shadows consistent, especially around eyes, eyebrows, and glasses? 

10. Hair: Does facial hair look odd or move strangely? 

11. Blinking: Unusual blinking patterns could indicate a deepfake. 

AI-generated videos, especially those created by newer diffusion models, often feature distorted faces or bizarre body movements, making them easier to spot than images. 

Recognizing AI Bots on Social Media 

AI-powered bots have become common on social media, using large language models to generate content that is grammatically correct and tailored to specific audiences. According to Paul Brenner from the University of Notre Dame, distinguishing AI bots from humans can be challenging, with volunteers in his research only succeeding about 42% of the time. 

To identify AI bots, look for less sophisticated behaviors, such as: 

• Repetitive or generic responses. 

• A lack of personal or contextual understanding. 

• An unusual posting frequency or timing. 

As AI continues to evolve, staying informed and vigilant is key to navigating a digital landscape increasingly populated with synthetic content. By honing your ability to spot AI-generated fakes, you can better protect yourself and others from falling victim to digital manipulation.