This morning I was watching a video on a popular social media platform. In this particular video, a man was lying in a hospital bed. His right arm was at his side, and his left arm was in a cast that was resting on his stomach. His dog comes to greet him, and the next thing you know, this “third arm” appears to pet his dog. I actually didn’t notice this the first time I watched it, but for some odd reason, I watched the video a second time, and that is when I noticed. So, did this man grow a third arm? Of course not! It was AI (Artificial Intelligence).

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision- making, and creativity. As applications and tools become more advanced, many people can’t tell the difference between real and AI-created content. AI is used to create realistic images, but there are often clues that can help you identify when an image might be computer-generated. By knowing what to look for, you can avoid being misled by fake or manipulated content online.

What should you look for? One key indicator is unnatural features. Look closely at faces, hands, and other details. AI often does not do a good job with creating realistic hands, resulting in extra fingers, distorted shapes, or unnatural proportions. Another indicator is inconsistent lighting and shadows. AI-generated images may have mismatched lighting or shadows that do not align with the scene’s overall direction. AI images sometimes lack sharpness in areas like hair strands, clothing textures, or backgrounds. Pay attention to the backgrounds in images, too. AI tools often produce strange distortions, repetitive patterns, or unnatural transitions between objects and their surroundings.

If you suspect an image was generated using AI, there are a few things you can try to confirm your suspicion. Zoom in to examine small details such as eyes, teeth, fingers, and ears. Check for irregularities. Conduct a reverse image search to check if the images have been used elsewhere online. You should also consider whether the image fits logically within its context Knowing if something was created using AI can prevent consumers from being misinformed. AI-generated images can be used to spread false information or even manipulate public opinion. Being able to identify AI can also help you recognize and avoid scams. Unfortunately, AI tools are increasingly used in scams, such as creating fake profiles or advertisements that appear authentic. This can, in turn, negatively affect businesses because when consumers learn an image was produced with AI, trust in that business may decline.

It is important to remember that artificial Intelligence is not a bad thing. Everything has its place, but AI can be portrayed negatively when individuals and businesses choose to create and share misleading content.