Real or AI?

Can you spot the fake photo?

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Welcome

These days, a photo can be faked in seconds. In this quiz you will see a series of pictures. For each one, decide whether it is a real photo or an AI-generated (computer-made) image. After you answer, you will see the give-away clues.

  • Take your time and look closely at hands, faces, text and the background.
  • There is no penalty for a wrong answer, the clues are the whole point.
  • The big lesson at the end matters most: if something looks real, that is no longer proof that it is.
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Things to look out for next time

  • Hands and fingers: wrong number, fused together, or bent the wrong way.
  • Eyes, teeth and ears: glassy eyes, oddly even teeth, ears or earrings that do not match.
  • Any writing: text on signs, labels or logos turns to gibberish.
  • Skin and hair: too smooth and waxy; hair that melts into the background.
  • The background: warped objects, blurred or repeated faces, cloned patterns.
  • Lighting and shadows: shadows that fall the wrong way, or are missing.
  • Jewellery and straps: buttons, chains or straps that lead nowhere.
  • The overall feel: it can look too perfect, like a glossy advert.

The one thing to remember

  • A photo can now be faked in seconds, for free. Looking real is no longer proof that something is real.
  • Scammers use fake photos, fake voices and even fake videos of people you trust.
  • Do not decide based on the picture. Ask: who is sending this, and why? If it asks for money, a code, or a password, stop and check another way.
  • Call the person or company back on a number you looked up, never the one in the message.

Common give-aways of an AI image

  • Hands and fingers — wrong number, fused, or bent the wrong way.
  • Teeth — too many, oddly even, or blurry.
  • Eyes and glasses — mismatched reflections; frames that do not join up.
  • Ears and earrings — left and right do not match.
  • Any text — words on signs, labels or logos turn to gibberish.
  • Skin and hair — too smooth and waxy; hair melts into the background.
  • Background — warped objects, repeated patterns, cloned faces in a crowd.
  • Lighting — shadows fall the wrong way or are missing.
  • Jewellery and straps — buttons, chains or straps that lead nowhere.
  • Overall — it can look too perfect, like a glossy advert.

Modern fakes are getting better, so some have no obvious tell. That is the real lesson: trust the source, not the picture.