The best way to detect AI-generated images
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That artificial intelligence (AI) is the order of the day is a fact. In a digital age where reality and fiction merge at the click of a button, it is increasingly difficult to detect the authenticity of the content around us.
Manipulated photos are more frequent than ever on social networks and AI-generated images are revolutionizing the way we design, interact and consume visual content. Current artificial intelligence image creation techniques have progressed to such an extent that it is practically impossible to know whether or not they are manipulated photos.
However, this advancement also poses unique challenges in terms of identifying and verifying the authenticity of images. Thus, there is an increasing need for an AI detector that allows us to identify image manipulation to ensure visual integrity in an increasingly digital environment.
The democratization of AI-generated images
Artificial intelligence has arrived to make our lives easier. Those of us who use AI in our daily lives are constantly looking for an image, text, audio or video generator that is capable of perfectly capturing what we have in our heads. And it is becoming easier and easier to achieve this and the result is more accurate.
Thanks to these tools, we are starting to be able to create AI-generated images without necessarily being experts in graphic design or photography. This has a number of advantages:
- Increased efficiency: having an image generator helps us reduce the time needed to create visual content. This allows more people to express themselves creatively without spending hours and hours designing manually.
- Cost savings: by using image generation tools, we can avoid the costs associated with design software or hiring professional designers.
- Increased creativity: it allows us to generate disruptive images that we have never seen before.
- Universal access: democratization means that anyone, regardless of their background or skills, can create images. This is especially relevant in the context of social networks and visual communication.
How to detect an AI-generated photo
At first glance, it is virtually impossible to detect AI-generated images. Try as we might, we need technology to help us solve this issue. However, there are some strategies that can give us a clue:
- Check the title, description and tags: some AI-generated images may have metadata indicating their origin. If you see words like “AI-generated” or “automatically created”, it’s a sign that the image may not be authentic.
- Look for watermarks: Some image generation tools add watermarks or logos to identify their origin. If you find a watermark, it is likely that the image was generated by an AI.
- Look for distortions or anomalies: AI-generated images may have strange or unusual details. Look for repetitive patterns, unnatural colors, or elements that don’t quite fit.
- Use AI detection tools: There are online tools specifically designed to detect AI-generated images. For example, VerifAI offers a free detector that analyzes content for patterns characteristic of AI.
VerifAI, TU’s AI detector
By employing technologies like VerifAI, we are taking a step toward building more transparent online ecosystems. This is critical for ethics, for maintaining trust in the information we consume, and for protecting intellectual property.
VerifAI is an innovation project of Telefónica Innovación Digital that, under the TU brand, aims to accelerate the connection between technological progress and create a positive impact on people and society.
This platform allows to detect AI-generated images, but also videos and texts. Its interface is very simple. You just have to access the official VerifAI website to verify the authenticity of the content.
First, you will have to upload your image, video or text to VerifAI. You can upload a file or copy a URL into the search field. It’s that easy.
VerifAI then analyzes the Deep Fake Score. The score obtained indicates the probability that the image has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence. Thus, we will get one of these three results:
- Unlikely: ensures that it is not a video, text or image generated by artificial intelligence.
- Inconclusive: finds indications that the content is generated by artificial intelligence, but without a conclusive verdict.
- Probably AI: confident that the content has been generated or manipulated by artificial intelligence.
However, this is only a Beta version of the platform. It is a modular platform that allows the latest models to be included. It will gradually evolve to offer increasingly accurate and precise results. For this reason, they have enabled the option to report possible errors so that, if we are certain that VerifAI has made a mistake, we can easily report the error and contribute to improving the tool.
The future of artificial intelligence
Given the current context, it seems inevitable that, in the future, artificial intelligence will continue to play a key role in imaging. Tools such as VerifAI are essential to ensure that this future is inclusive, ethical and beneficial to all. By promoting responsible innovation, we can enjoy technological advances while keeping integrity at the center of our priorities.
It is everyone’s commitment to nurture and protect authentic content. As we continue to navigate the uncharted waters of AI-generated image creation, we must remember that quality should never be sacrificed to gain efficiency. With tools like VerifAI, we have the opportunity to foster a diverse and transparent digital environment and creativity, both human and artificial, that is authentic.
