How to know if an image is AI generated or not

Is this real… or is this AI?

As AI-generated images, videos, audio, and text become part of our daily lives, distinguishing them from other media is more important than ever. In this video, we show you how to use our SynthID and C2PA Content Credentials tools to learn more about the content you consume.

You can also refer to this article to stay in the know about SynthID and C2PA: https://goo.gle/4yGjrTe

The video highlights two primary tools for identifying AI-generated content and understanding its history (0:12–0:53):

SynthID: Developed by Google DeepMind (0:12–0:14), this is a hidden digital watermarking technology. It embeds imperceptible signals directly into AI-generated images, videos, audio, and text to help identify them. Google has partnered with other major tech companies—such as OpenAI, Nvidia, and Apple—to integrate these watermarks into their own AI content (0:28–0:34).
C2PA Content Credentials: These act like a “nutrition label” for digital media (0:41–0:45). This standard provides verifiable metadata that reveals the story behind a piece of content, such as whether it was captured with a physical camera, edited with AI, or entirely AI-generated (0:45–0:50).

Together, these tools offer a more complete picture of the authenticity and provenance of the digital media you consume (0:50–0:55).

You can identify AI-generated images by looking for specific visual inconsistencies, using digital forensics, or running the file through specialized detection software. Because AI technology improves rapidly, a combination of visual inspection and software tools yields the best results.

Here is how to spot AI-generated images.

Visual Anomalies

Deformed Hands: Look for extra, missing, or unnaturally bent fingers.
Asymmetric Faces: Check if earrings match or if eyes point in different directions.
Distorted Text: Background signs often display unreadable, gibberish characters.
Liquid Textures: Clothing patterns or architectural lines may melt into each other.
Unnatural Hair: Strands often look like painted brushstrokes or lack realistic roots.
Flawed Reflections: Shadows and mirror reflections frequently violate the laws of physics.

Digital Forensics

Metadata Inspection: Check the file’s EXIF data for AI tool tags like “Midjourney” or “DALL-E.”
Invisible Watermarks: Look for embedded cryptographic signatures using technical verification sites.
Reverse Image Search: Search Google Images to find the original source or creator credits.

AI Detection Software

Hive Moderation: Analyzes structures to determine the probability of AI generation.
Illuminarty: Pinpoints exactly which AI model was likely used to create the image.
Sightengine: Detects synthetic media patterns invisible to the human eye.

To help you analyze a specific image, I can:

Check the image details if you upload it here
Explain how to read metadata on your device
Recommend the best tool for a specific AI generator (like Midjourney or Stable Diffusion)