AI-generated content is everywhere. It’s being used to build entire websites, write news articles, and create social media profiles that look real. Because it’s becoming so common, knowing how to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s computer-made is one of the best ways to keep your social feed safe.
Why do people use AI for this?
Most of the time, people use AI to save time or be creative. But sometimes, it’s used to trick you. Fake news sites use AI to create thousands of articles to spread misinformation, and scammers use AI-generated profiles to look like real people so they can gain your trust. Since these accounts don’t always have a ‘Generated by AI’ label, it’s up to us to look a little closer.
Clues to help you spot AI: Photos and Videos
AI is getting better at details in photos and videos, but it still struggles to create picture-perfect content.
- Zoom in on the edges of an image. Does the hair blur perfectly into the background in a way that looks unnatural? Do accessories like earrings or glasses look like they are merged into the skin?
- Look at the background. Are there windows that don’t line up? Does the shadow of a person point in a different direction than the shadow of a tree?
- In videos, watch the mouth and eyes. If the person blinks in a weird, robotic rhythm, or if their teeth look like one solid white block instead of individual teeth, it’s likely AI.
Clues to help you spot AI: Writing and Websites
AI writing often has a very specific feel. It’s usually very polite, well structured, and can sometimes feel a bit too perfect.
- If a social media post sounds more like a book or a sales pitch than a real person talking, then that’s a red flag. Real people use slang, make typos, and get excited.
- AI loves to start paragraphs the same way, using words like ‘furthermore’ or ‘in addition’. If every section of a website looks exactly the same, it might have been generated by AI.
- On shopping sites, look for reviews that are very vague. Watch out for reviews without any specific details about the product, for example, “this is a great product, I highly recommend it”.
How to fact-check quickly
If you see a shocking headline or an offer that seems too good to be true, take a minute to double-check it!
- Use reverse image search to see where else that photo has been. If a “breaking news” photo from today actually appeared on a website three years ago, you know it’s not real.
- Click on the account. Does it have a history of real posts, or was it made last week? Does it only post the same kind of content over and over?
- If a post is designed to make you feel really angry or scared, that’s often a clue that it’s been created by AI to go viral.
Need to talk?
Coming across fake content can be confusing, especially if it involves someone you know or a topic you care about. If you’ve seen something online that’s upset you, or if you’re worried you’ve been talking to an AI profile instead of a real person, Meic is here to help.
