AI-Generated Images Pose Growing Challenge for Spotting Fakes

A recent survey by an identity verification company has revealed the alarming ease with which people can be fooled by AI-generated images. The study found that Americans’ ability to distinguish real images from deepfakes is roughly equivalent to a coin flip, highlighting the growing challenge of spotting fakes in today’s digital landscape.

CBS LA Consumer Investigator Kristine Lazar put this finding to the test and scored just three out of 12 on an AI detection quiz before receiving guidance on what to look for. Despite her extensive experience as a consumer investigator, Lazar initially struggled to identify authentic and AI-generated content, scoring only 25% accuracy.

The quiz, created by Veriff, an online identity verification tool, featured side-by-side images and videos that tested Lazar’s ability to spot fakes. Although she felt confident in her initial choices, many of her assumptions were later proven wrong. For instance, she initially believed one person was AI-generated, only to discover they were actually real.

Lazar correctly identified three out of 12 images and videos before learning what to look for. Her experience underscores the difficulty of relying solely on visual cues when it comes to identifying AI-generated content. The telltale signs people once relied on, such as distorted fingers or unnatural eyes, have largely disappeared with advancements in AI technology.

Raul Liive, Veriff’s product director, explained that the quality of AI-generated images has improved significantly over the past few years. ‘The AI has improved heavily,’ he said. ‘It used to be pretty simple because fingers were missing, or eyes were weird, but right now, the quality is so good.’ As a result, people are no longer able to rely on obvious visual flaws to identify fakes.

Liive recommends closely examining facial features for subtle inconsistencies and unusual texture changes in AI-generated images. Videos can be even more challenging due to continuous motion, but viewers may notice limited blinking or inconsistent movement speeds as potential giveaways. Clothing patterns that blend unnaturally into the background are also a red flag.

After receiving guidance from Liive, Lazar retook the quiz and improved her score significantly, correctly identifying eight out of 12 images and videos. Her experience highlights the importance of using AI-powered detection tools or specialized verification apps to help determine whether an image or video is authentic rather than relying solely on visual cues.

Liive noted that even experts who work with AI every day are not able to identify every fake image correctly without additional tools. ‘No, I can’t get 100% on that quiz,’ he said. The experience underscores the need for businesses and individuals alike to be cautious when sharing or consuming digital content, especially in industries where authenticity is crucial.

The challenge of spotting fakes has significant implications for various sectors, including business and media. As AI-generated images become increasingly sophisticated, it’s essential for companies to leverage AI tools to verify the authenticity of their online presence and protect against potential threats.