AI-generated images are becoming increasingly realistic, blurring the line between what’s real and what’s artificial. From social media profile pictures to news images and even deepfakes, AI is capable of producing stunningly detailed visuals—but it isn’t perfect.
Being able to spot AI-generated images is crucial, whether to prevent misinformation, detect fraudulent advertisements, or simply satisfy curiosity. In this article, we’ll explore 10 telltale signs that can help you determine whether artificial intelligence has created an image.
1. Look at the Hands and Fingers
One of the biggest giveaways of an AI-generated image is the hands. AI still struggles with rendering realistic fingers, often producing extra digits, missing joints, or unnatural positions.
What to look for:
- Too many or too few fingers.
- Fingers that are fused together or oddly shaped.
- Hands positioned in an unnatural way, making it difficult to distinguish individual fingers.
If the hands in an image look strange, chances are, it was generated by AI.
2. Examine the Eyes and Facial Features
AI-generated portraits may look stunning at first glance, but when you examine the details, things start to fall apart. One common flaw is in the eyes—AI sometimes generates mismatched or asymmetrical eye shapes, strange reflections, or even extra pupils.
What to look for:
- Eyes that are not aligned properly.
- Asymmetrical facial features.
- Unnatural reflections in the eyes.
This is especially true for AI-generated portraits where the subject is looking straight at the camera—always zoom in for a closer look.
3. Check for Text and Odd Symbols
AI struggles to generate text within images. If an image contains signs, labels, or posters with writing, examine the text carefully—it is often distorted, misspelt, or completely nonsensical.
What to look for:
- Gibberish text or random symbols.
- Letters that are stretched, incomplete, or jumbled.
- Text that doesn’t fit naturally with the rest of the image.
This is one of the easiest ways to identify an AI-generated image, as the technology hasn’t yet mastered realistic text rendering.
4. Inspect the Background for Inconsistencies
While AI can generate stunning foreground elements, it often struggles with the background. This results in surreal, distorted, or even nonsensical details when you look closely.
What to look for:
- Unusual patterns that don’t match the scene.
- Blurry, warped, or duplicated background elements.
- Objects that appear to merge into each other unnaturally.
AI often focuses on the main subject, leaving the background as an afterthought. Always check for oddities in the surroundings.
5. Watch for Unrealistic Lighting and Shadows
Lighting is one of the most challenging aspects for AI to get right. In many AI-generated images, shadows may be inconsistent or completely missing, making the image feel “off.”
What to look for:
- Shadows that don’t match the light source.
- Overly bright or unnatural highlights on faces and objects.
- Areas where the lighting suddenly changes without explanation.
If something about the lighting seems unnatural, there’s a high chance the image has been AI-generated.
6. Notice Weird or Blurred Details
AI sometimes struggles with fine details, leading to blurriness or smudging in complex textures such as hair, clothing, and reflections.
What to look for:
- Hair strands that blend into the background.
- Clothing patterns that suddenly change or blur out.
- Smudged or distorted reflections in mirrors or water.
While AI-generated images may look sharp at a glance, these small details often reveal their true nature.
7. Pay Attention to Symmetry and Repetitive Patterns
AI has a tendency to create overly symmetrical or unnaturally repetitive patterns, especially in objects like jewellery, fabrics, and architectural designs.
What to look for:
- Identical earrings or accessories that look exactly the same (but should be slightly different in real life).
- Background elements that are duplicated unnaturally.
- Patterns that seem too perfect or repetitive.
Humans and nature are rarely perfect—AI, on the other hand, often overcorrects and makes things look too artificial.
8. Look for Unusual Textures or Skin Imperfections
AI sometimes generates skin that looks overly smooth, plasticky, or waxy, removing natural imperfections such as pores, wrinkles, or blemishes. In some cases, it may add random blemishes or unnatural artefacts to compensate.
What to look for:
- Skin that looks airbrushed or too flawless.
- Odd-looking blemishes that don’t resemble real skin imperfections.
- Unnatural textures that appear randomly across the face or body.
If the person in the image looks too perfect (or oddly imperfect), it could be an AI creation.
9. Use AI Detection Tools
There are now several online tools that can help identify AI-generated images. These tools analyse patterns and inconsistencies that are difficult for the human eye to detect.
Useful AI detection tools:
- AI image detectors such as Deepware Scanner and Hugging Face AI detectors.
- Google Reverse Image Search to check whether the image exists elsewhere.
- Photo forensics tools to analyse pixel inconsistencies.
If in doubt, running the image through one of these tools can provide extra verification.
10. Trust Your Instincts and Compare with Real Photos
Sometimes, the best way to spot an AI-generated image is simply to trust your instincts. If something about the image feels “off” but you can’t pinpoint why.
What to do:
- Compare the image with real photos of similar subjects.
- Look for unusual details that wouldn’t typically appear in a real photograph.
- Be sceptical of images that seem too good to be true.
In an era of digital manipulation, a healthy dose of scepticism is essential when evaluating images online.
AI-generated images are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but they still have telltale flaws that can give them away. By examining hands, facial features, backgrounds, lighting, and textures, you can often determine whether an image is real or AI-generated.
With misinformation and deepfake technology on the rise, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant. Next time you come across a suspicious-looking image, put these 10 tips to the test and see if you can spot the fake!