How to Identify AI-Generated Deepfake Images
Identifying deepfake images generated using artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be difficult because software developers continuously upgrade their AI models to create more photorealistic images. However, you can distinguish genuine photos from AI-generated deepfake images by comparing them with a photo you know to be real, studying the details and background of the image, using a forensic tool or an expert in the field, and examining metadata and the source of the image.
A Growing Challenge
With so many platforms allowing artists to generate AI faces for free, social media is awash with deepfake faces that look very similar to the real ones. While it’s not illegal to generate AI faces for content creation purposes, some people use these images for devious and deceitful purposes.
However, many artists and influencers use a free AI face generator to create informative and promotional content for their digital spaces. This is why you should learn to distinguish between real and deepfake photos.
Here are some of the ways you can identify deepfake images:
Compare With a Genuine Image
Do a comparison of the suspicious image with a genuine one. For instance, if you’re looking at an image of a known individual or item, find a real photo and do a comparison. You can visit an established social media page or website to view genuine pictures.
Study the Fine Details
Scrutinise the image to see if it has any inconsistencies. For instance, look at the facial features because they likely have irregularities if it is a fake. Deepfake AI faces usually have inconsistencies like uneven eye spacing, symmetry, and skin texture.
You should also check the eyes and teeth for uneven alignment and unnatural reflections. Hair in a deepfake AI image is often fuzzy or overly smooth, too.
Examine the Background
Be wary of blurred or mismatched backgrounds in images and check if there are unnatural shadows. Deepfake images often have blurry or uneven backgrounds, especially along the contours of a person. They also tend to have lighting inconsistencies.
Employ Forensic Analysis Tools
There are several reliable tools you can use to do a forensic analysis of images. For instance, you can use the Google Reverse Image Search feature to figure out if the image was used anywhere else on the internet.
This will help you identify altered images being presented as authentic. Another popular tool is FotoForensic, which can analyse the metadata of a photo and error levels to detect any variances. Sensity, DeepTrace, and Deepware Scanner are other AI detection tools to determine if an image is deepfake.
Examine Metadata
A careful look at the EXIF data of your images can reveal anomalies. This information tells you when and how a photo was created. If the data has glaring inconsistencies or gaps, it may have been generated using AI.
Behavioural Signals
Take some time to check the image’s credibility by verifying its source. Most credible news sources won’t knowingly share deepfake images. Understand the context of the image–particularly, why it was created and how you came across it.
Deepfake content is often sensational and far-fetched because it’s intended to spread fake news and mislead viewers.
Ask for an Expert Opinion
AI and forensic experts can assist you in identifying deepfake images. Look for someone specialising in digital forensics for a more in-depth assessment of your photos.
What Is SIFT In Identifying Deepfake AI Photos?
If you don’t have the time or patience to examine each photo pixel-by-pixel, you can use the SIFT technique. SIFT is a popular research model developed by the scientist Mike Caufield to identify manipulated content.
‘SIFT’ stands for ‘Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace the context.’ It’s a proven media literacy technique many media organisations use to detect deepfake and manipulated content.
This method requires you to analyse images carefully. If an image looks too good to be true, find similar photos to ensure the location is accurate.
In Conclusion
These procedures and tools will enhance your ability and accuracy in detecting deepfake AI images before you use them in your content, and will help you avoid being deceived by manipulated images.
NightCafe Creator also has two AI algorithms–the generator and the discriminator–that can come in handy. The generator can create deepfakes while the discriminator can identify them as fake!