You’re not the only one fooled by a photo created using an artificial intelligence tool. Indeed, the images generated by AI are more and more realistic and convincing, which makes the detection of their artificial nature more and more complex. Here are some tips to help you find it.
This photo was generated by AI, with Midjourney V5
Nowadays, it is more and more difficult to determine if an image is generated by an artificial intelligence (AI) or not, in particular due to the increasing efficiency of image generators such as Dall-E 2 and Midjourney V5 .
However, there are certain tricks to recognize an image created by AI, comparable to those used to identify an image retouched with Photoshop. It is essential to be aware of the detection of images generated by AI, because it is easy to fall into the trap of their deceptive realism.
This image has been circulating all over the web, it was generated by AI
Notable examples include a photo of Pope Francis in a white puffer jacket, as well as an image of Donald Trump apparently arrested by police. These images, although looking realistic at first glance, are actually the result of AI image generation techniques.
This picture is also wrong.
Check the title, description and comments
First of all, it is important to check the title and description of an image, as well as the associated comments. Like us (for example), some media choose to mention the use of an AI. Search for keywords like “Midjourney”, “Stable Diffusion” or “Dall-E”, which are the names of three popular AI image generators.
Look for anomalies in the image
AI-generated images often exhibit odd visual markers, such as bizarre distortions, which are easier to spot by carefully observing the image. For example, certain details may betray that an image is AI-generated, such as glasses that blend into the skin, blurred backgrounds, or asymmetrical objects.
Typically, image generators have difficulty creating hands realistically, resulting in inaccurate or distorted representations. This imperfection is due to the complexity of the morphology of the hands, which includes many details and articulations, making their faithful reproduction by the AIs more difficult.
Look at the hand of this portrait of Elon Musk generated with Midjourney V5
AI-generated hands may exhibit abnormalities such as disproportionate, misplaced, or incorrectly numbered fingers. Additionally, the joints and contours of the hands may be poorly defined, making the hands appear fused or blurred.
Emmanuel Macron’s face looks artificial, photo generated with Midjourney V5 by Aroged
These errors in the representation of the hands are particularly striking when compared to other elements of the image which can be very well done. It is therefore important to pay attention to the hands when examining an image to determine if it was generated by an AI. However, it should be noted that image generators are continually improving, and it is possible that future versions of these AIs will be able to create more realistic and detailed hands.
Elon Musk created with Midjourney V5 by Aroged
Faces created by image generators can sometimes have a plasticized appearance, giving them an unnatural appearance. This characteristic is often due to machine learning techniques used by AIs to generate images, which can produce smooth and shiny skin textures, comparable to plastic or silicone.
Here is the gamepad which is strange // Source: Midjourney V5 by Aroged
This plasticized appearance can manifest itself in exaggerated highlights, unnatural shadows or an absence of pores and wrinkles on the skin. As a result, AI-generated faces can look oddly perfect, making them less realistic and easier to identify as artificial.
Some photos are very successful // Source: Midjourney V5 by Aroged
It is crucial to carefully examine the details, as it is exceptional that the photos are free from defects. Indeed, even the most successful AI-generated images often have imperfections or inconsistencies that can reveal their artificial nature. These anomalies may include distorted elements, incorrect proportions, unusual textures, or errors in perspective.
They have difficulty in correctly representing rare and complex elements in the background. Moreover, they struggle to model the writing. Errors in writing may result in distorted, illegible, or reversed letters, while background patterns may appear blurry, repetitive, or inconsistent.
There are a lot of mistakes in these photos, just take a closer look to notice them
Another clue: image generators have trouble with symmetry. For example, eyes tend to point in the same direction and are usually the same color, but AI-created images often exhibit strabismus and heterochromia. Asymmetry is also frequently seen, for example, with very odd ears in terms of height or size.
Look at the trees…
At low definition, most of the images presented in the document are almost indistinguishable from the photographs. Take the time to zoom in on it, then you will no doubt see artifacts.
Use a detector
AI image generators are powered by Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). In 2021, Mayachitra engineers created a GAN detector to help identify AI-generated images. However, the results of this tool are sometimes unreliable. So it’s best to use it in combination with other methods to check if an image is AI-generated.
Bravo !
Algorithms are becoming more efficient and sophisticated
These techniques will allow you to develop a critical mind in the face of the visual content that we encounter daily on the internet and social networks.
As mentioned earlier, it will become increasingly difficult to distinguish AI-generated images from actual photographs. Technology is changing rapidly, and algorithms are becoming ever more powerful and sophisticated, making man-made creations almost indistinguishable from images taken by a camera.
Faced with this reality, it is crucial to develop skills in detecting AI-generated images and to stay informed of technological advances in this field. In the future, it is likely that new tools and methods will be developed to facilitate the recognition of artificial images. In the meantime, it is essential to take a critical and vigilant approach when analyzing visual content, paying attention to detail and telltale signs of an image’s AI-generated nature.
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