AI-generated and deepfake images created by image generators are reaching new levels of sophistication. Over the last few years, celebrities, politicians, and even royalty have been embroiled in AI photo scandals that later turned out to be fake. The question of “how to tell if an image is AI-generated” has never been more important.
It’s clear that AI-generated images have a prominent role in creating content. The key is to use them carefully and correctly.
Are you curious to understand more about how to identify AI-generated images? Come with us as we explore this fascinating topic. We’ll explain all in this deep dive.
How To Spot AI-Generated Images: 3 Things To Look Out For
How easy is it to detect an image that’s been generated by machine learning techniques? It might seem difficult at first. However, you can train yourself to spot AI content and, with it, an AI-generated image. Once you do, you’ll quickly become adept at it and wonder what took you so long.
Let’s look at a few tell-tale signs of how to spot AI images.
1. Labeling
One of the first and easiest signs to look for is if the image is disclosed as being AI. Sometimes in the “above image” description or photo tag, it’s clearly labeled as such. If you find one like this then look at it more closely. It can often give you some clues as to what to look for in the future.
Carefully check the title and description of the photo or art to see what it says. If the image has a comments section, check that. Sometimes the author of the picture will let people know there that it’s been created via AI. This is often the simplest way to see if something is AI-generated.
2. Watermark
Does the image have a watermark on it? Sometimes it can be difficult to tell. Official photos from professional photorealistic art have them. Think about those that come from places like Getty etc. They have the name emblazoned on them, so they can’t be used easily. Nor can they be copied without payment or permission.
Sometimes stock photography is the same. AI-generated pics might have something similar. For instance, some AI pics might have distinct markings on them. You might see a small row of colored blocks in the corner of the picture.
3. Distortions
Look at the image closely and see if there are any obvious distortions. Do the people in it have wonky facial features, jewelry that’s blurred out, or even extra fingers? Any text on the picture might be indistinct. It might not make sense or be completely unreadable. These are clues that AI image generators have been used.
How To Find AI-Generated Images With Online Tools
Sometimes AI-generated images can be so well-made that it is difficult to see if they are real or not. However, there are a couple of ways to confirm if an image is real.
Do a Reverse Image Search
Try out a reverse image search via a search engine or a tool like TinEye. This can find different versions of photos and art. It’ll spot the telltale signs of AI-generated content.
Check With AI Detection Tools
If you’re still not sure, try running the image through an AI image detector tool. This should give you information on the probability of it being deepfake or stock photography. AI detectors will also let you know whether an image is genuinely been created by the human hand.
Basically, the key point here is the “devil is in the detail.” Anything that looks too perfect in one place, and distinctly off-kilter in others is likely to be AI-generated. This leads us to the next point – why do we need to be careful with AI pictures?
Why Do We Need To Be Careful With AI Images?
It’s important to be aware of AI imagery, but not alarmed by it. AI can play an important part in image creation. However, there are some reasons to be cautious. Here are some of the reasons you need to be careful when exploring AI imagery:
- Ethics and legalities: There are issues concerning the ownership of AI art and photos. Many of the well-known AI image generators that exist have trained their software using billions of different human-created images. Sometimes, this hasn’t always been done with the consent of the creator. There are potential legal and ethical complications from this.
- Loss of artistic integrity: Some photographers and artists worry artistic integrity will be diluted by AI photos and art. They also have concerns about maintaining the authenticity of their original work. It’s important to them that it’s differentiated from an AI-generated image.
- Could be used to deceive: Some AI photos are so real they have caused fake news stories to go viral. This tends to happen on social media sites. Here, an image attached to a story can be shared in a split second without being properly fact-checked. Understandably, it can lead to problems.
Use the methods outlined above to make sure images are properly checked and labeled as “AI generated.” Then, you can use them with the right references and attributions in your work.
Pros and Cons of Using an AI-Generated Image
We’ll now lay out the pros and cons of using an AI-generated image when creating content to let you decide if you want to use it in your content or not.
Pros of Using AI To Create Images
Here are the pros of adding images created by AI:
- Efficient method of making images: Using AI to create an image means you can come up with quality art, quickly. This is great if you need to create rapid-fire content for social media or blogging platforms. They’re a great way to help enhance content and invoke mood in writing. Using decent images will help set a scene perfectly.
- AI image tools are accessible: The tools used to craft AI images are becoming more widely available and user-friendly. Anyone can create art for a range of projects.
- AI photos and art are cost-effective: AI for images is an inexpensive way to create photos for a specific task. It means one person can complete a project rather than multiple people.
- Innovative: There are sometimes issues with distortion. However, AI can generally craft unique ideas for art. These may not otherwise be possible with traditional painting or photographic techniques.
Cons of Using AI To Create Images
Now, let’s have a look at some of the cons of creating and adding AI-generated images:
- Derivative: AI images and photos created on Dall E or Bing are built on machine learning. This means they’re relying on data that’s already out there. Sometimes this gives images a derivative feel. Once you’ve seen a few it’s easy to tell the difference at first glance between real life and AI.
- Ethical issues are a concern: Artists and photographers have raised concerns about ownership and ethics from AI-generated images. Issues surrounding authorship and copyright can arise with AI-generated pieces.
- Quality is questionable sometimes: While there are good images out there created by AI, sometimes quality is hit and miss. It’s easier to spot lower-quality photos and AI art, as it lacks human emotion and depth. Visual anomalies are common. The main subject might look fantastic. However, the background may look wrong.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How easy is it to spot an AI-generated image?
Once you’ve compared AI images with a real photo, it’s easy to spot AI photography or AI art. Generative AI is generally good quality.
However, there are obvious signs to look for, such as AI distortions in images. Over-saturated colors are also an issue. Background anomalies are common too. The foreground of the image might be perfect. When you examine what goes on behind it, it might look completely wrong.
Is AI-generated image use legit?
AI generators are legit to use. Naturally, there are ethical concerns for some artists. Artificial intelligence will never replace real photos and the human touch.
However, if they’re used sensibly and within reason there’s no problem. AI-generated art for photos and other real images is a great way to produce quality content quickly.
Is an AI image free to use?
Some AI-generated art programs are free to use. Dall E for instance has free image options. However, there will be limits on how much you can access and use within that free framework.
Some AI systems and image makers will make you pay a subscription, and they can be costly. Smodin’s AI tools are all free to use. They offer a wide range of AI options that cover a variety of content needs.
