That Can't Be Real: Spotting Altered Images & Videos by https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej A quick guide to recognizing AI alterations and creations. Plus a few tools for deeper investigation and best practices. en-us 2025-07-26 17:30:28 UTC 2025-08-05 14:23:46 UTC hello@padlet.com Warped Backgrounds & Objects beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236871 Distorted or warped backgrounds are common in AI altered photos. Notice the blurred and wavy legs in the bottom left of this image of Pope Leo XIV with King Von. This happens when AI attempts to remove objects from photos.

]]> 2025-07-26 17:30:29 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236871 Inconsistent Lighting & Shadows beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236872 AI struggles to create correct lighting direction and shadows. Watch for shadows that fall in odd directions or no shadow at all. In this photo, the lights overhead are off, yet an unknown light source is shining on them. The shadows are odd and varied.

]]> 2025-07-26 17:30:29 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236872 Skin, fingers, ears, eyes beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236873 People in AI edited and created photos often have overly smooth skin, strange sheens, and (gulp) too many fingers. Odd shaped ears and strange eyes are also common. Text is often a strange jumble of nonsense or blurred out.

]]> 2025-07-26 17:30:29 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236873 Deepfake Signs beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236876 Ads and social media posts abound with AI generated videos. If there is water or clouds, look for unnatural movement. Eyes might blink too much or not enough and mouths are often out of sync or blurry in AI generated videos. Watch this adorable (but fake) polar bear rescue. Repeat viewing will help you pick up the details that are off: strange paws, indistinct feet, odd wave movement and more.

]]> 2025-07-26 17:30:31 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236876 Sounds and Visuals Not Lining Up beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236877 Videos that are audio spliced and visually altered usually contain strange changes in voice or choppy transitions. Keep in mind that if there is no other news coverage or if the creator is known for pulling pranks, then it might be a fake video. This video of a child being carried off by an eagle was quite convincing.

]]> 2025-07-26 17:30:31 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236877 Google Reverse Image Search beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236880 Google's reverse image search is easy to use. Notice the camera icon on the Google Search bar. Click on the camera and follow the prompt to upload an image or paste its URL. You can also click and drag the image into the search. Then choose "about this image" from the choice bar.

]]> 2025-07-26 17:30:32 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236880 FotoForensics Analysis beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236886 FotoForensics, a free tool, can detect manipulation through ELA (Error Level Analysis). There is also a great tutorial that walks readers through analysis of a variety of AI enhanced videos. Queen Elizabeth II wore a lovely green dress that was quickly manipulated by AI creators as a green screen. The "noise" of the queen of hearts card is quite obvious. More complicated manipulations are harder to spot.

]]> 2025-07-26 17:30:34 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236886 InVID Verification Plugin beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236890 InVid is a Chrome extension that includes the same tools as Google Reverse Search, plus analysis of a video frame-by-frame. Users can look at metadata as well. It is more advanced than Google's version, so it takes more time to learn how to use it well.

]]> 2025-07-26 17:30:36 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236890 Media Literacy Best Practices beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236892 Media literacy best practices still apply when looking at videos and pictures.

If the images are too much to believe, take a closer look.

Is the image confirming your bias? Evoking a strong emotion? Think before you repost, or like it, or add the angry emoji.

What are reliable news sources posting about the image? Nothing? Chances are it is AI generated.

Who is the source? What are they known for?

Become a creator of AI images and video. You will understand the work going into creating and the responsibility you have in sending your creation out to the world.


]]> 2025-07-26 17:30:37 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529236892 Hany Farid on TED beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529541263 Hany Farid demonstrates how AI perceives images and video as "noise" so physics, light sources, and patterns get muddled.

Cautionary tale! Beware of what you like and repost. Social media is not a reliable news source.

]]> 2025-07-27 15:32:46 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3529541263 AllSides beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3530102205

AllSides mission is "to bring balanced news, media bias ratings, diverse perspectives, and real conversation."


]]> 2025-07-28 12:59:54 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3530102205 Pro/Con beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3530106234 Pro/Con offers balanced arguments, history, and quizzes on popular topics for debate.

]]> 2025-07-28 13:08:02 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3530106234 CQ Researcher beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3530357848 Learn about the U.S. Government and major issues in the world today from authoritative, unbiased, and accessible resources.

]]> 2025-07-28 23:43:58 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3530357848 Full Fact beevol https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3530359480 While learning about AI, fullfact.org turned out to be a strong resource with many opportunities for further learning.

]]> 2025-07-28 23:47:01 UTC https://padlet.com/beevol/cu85l2q5culj7iej/wish/3530359480