In the last year or so, you might have noticed that the internet feels a bit… different. You might see a photo of a celebrity in a wild outfit that looks slightly “off,” or read a news story that sounds too shocking to be true.
This is the era of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and highly convincing Fake News. While these tools can be fun, they can also be used to spread misinformation. Today, we’re going to give you some “digital detective” skills so you can tell the difference between what’s real and what’s a robot’s imagination!
How to Spot an AI-Generated Image 🖼️
AI can create incredibly realistic photos from scratch, but it often makes tiny mistakes that a real camera wouldn’t. Here is what to look for:
- The “Hand” Test: AI famously struggles with human hands. Look closely at the fingers—are there six? Are they strangely long or blurred together? This is a classic “bot” giveaway.
- Warped Backgrounds: Look at the lines in the background, like fences, windows, or bookshelves. In AI images, these lines often bend or disappear into nothingness.
- Too-Perfect Skin: If a person looks like they are made of porcelain or have absolutely no wrinkles, pores, or “imperfections,” it’s likely a digital creation.
- Text in the Image: If there is a sign or a book in the background, look at the letters. AI often turns text into “gibberish” that looks like an alien language.
The “Outrage” Test for Fake News 🚩
Fake news is designed to make you feel a strong emotion—usually anger, shock, or fear. This emotion makes you want to “Share” it immediately before checking if it’s true.
- Read Past the Headline: Headlines are often “clickbait,” designed to grab your attention. Sometimes the actual article says something completely different (or nothing at all!) compared to the shocking headline.
- Check the Source: Look at the website address (the URL). Scammers often create sites that look like real news outlets but use a weird ending, like “.com.co” instead of just “.com.”
- The Date Check: Sometimes, a “breaking news” story is actually a real article from ten years ago being recirculated to cause a stir. Always check when it was published!
Is That a Real Person Talking? 🗣️
AI can now write text and even mimic voices. This is often used in social media comments or “deepfake” videos.
- Repetitive Language: AI bots often use the same phrases repeatedly in comment sections. If you see ten people saying the exact same sentence, they are likely bots.
- Check the Profile: If a person on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) is posting constant political news but has no profile picture and only joined last month, be skeptical.
- The Voice “Glitch”: In fake videos (Deepfakes), watch the person’s mouth. Sometimes the words and lip movements don’t perfectly sync, or the person doesn’t blink as often as a human should.
Simple Ways to Verify the Truth ✅
You don’t have to guess! There are great tools out there to help you fact-check:
- Search the Headline: Copy the headline and paste it into Google with the word “hoax” or “fake” after it. If it’s a known lie, sites like Snopes or FactCheck.org will usually be the first results.
- Reverse Image Search: On many phones, you can long-press an image and select “Search Image with Google.” This will show you where the photo originally came from and if it has been edited.
- Consult Someone Else: If you’re really not sure, send it to a tech-savvy friend, family member, or a Shark. It’s always better to ask than to share something that might be false!
The internet is a vast and wonderful place, but it pays to be a little bit skeptical. By taking an extra thirty seconds to look for these “robot” clues, you can stay informed and protect your friends and family from fake news.
If you would like a hands-on lesson on how to use fact-checking websites or how to spot a “deepfake” video, our Sharks are always ready to help!