Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made astonishing leaps in image generation that will easily fool you.
Don’t believe us? Take a look at the side-by-side comparison of the two images below. Can you spot which one was generated by AI?
 Option: 1 |  Option: 2 |
You went with number 1 right? Well, the second image is the AI-generated image.
Surprising, isn’t it?
As AI technology advances, distinguishing between real photographs and AI-generated images will become increasingly challenging.
But fear not! Put on a brave face. There are still ways to identify AI photos as not all photos will turn out hyper-realistic even when using a detailed prompt to generate them.
For instance, we tried to mimic this photo to no avail. Here you can easily tell which image is AI generated. Right?
 Source |  Created with Dream Studio |
In this example…
…there are many tell-tale signs the second image is AI-generated: lack of fine details, unnatural lighting, and smooth textures.
We’ll look at 6 main methods of identifying AI images, and each method may feature separate techniques to use. Knowing which images
Method 1: Checking for Common visual anomalies in AI-generated images
Inconsistent image resolution
AI image generators often struggle to maintain consistent resolution across an entire image. The inconsistency can manifest in several ways:
- Varying levels of detail: Some parts of the image may appear sharp and highly detailed, while others look blurry or lack definition.
- Uneven textures: Surfaces that should have uniform textures (like fabric or skin) might show inconsistent patterns or levels of smoothness.
- Mismatched sharpness: Background elements may be unusually sharp compared to foreground objects, or vice versa.
These inconsistencies occur because AI models generate images piece by piece, sometimes struggling to maintain coherence across the composition.
In contrast, real cameras capture light information evenly across the entire sensor, resulting in a consistent level of detail across the image. And even when parts of an image may be intentionally out of focus (like in portrait photography), the transition between sharp and blurry areas follows natural optical principles.
 Source |  Created with Dream Studio |
In the following image, the AI model struggles with the transition between foreground and background details – with the image appearing blurry.
Unnatural patterns and inconsistencies
Natural patterns in the real world include symmetries, spirals, meanders, waves, foams, cracks, fractals, and stripes. Such patterns recur in different contexts and are governed by physical laws, mathematical principles, and biological processes.
Despite being trained on billions of images, AI often struggles to accurately replicate natural patterns due to several factors:
- The complexity of natural systems makes them challenging to fully model algorithmically.
- AI may lack a deeper contextual understanding of how natural elements interact and influence each other in real-world settings.
- While extensive, training datasets may not capture all nuances and variations of natural patterns.
For instance, when working with animal images, this produces unrealistic fur or feather patterns.
 Source |  Created with Dream Studio |
While Dream Studio does a great job with the Cheetah image, you can see that it still struggles to render the complexity of the spots. Look at how the fur appears unnaturally smooth, lacks variation in direction, and tends to be more uniform – lacking complex variations.
Inconsistent and odd details
You can pay close attention to small details that may be inconsistent or out of place to identify AI images. For instance, you may get mismatched earrings on human subjects, warped backgrounds, or the following case….
 Source |  Created with Dream Studio |
The prompt given to AI was to generate a realistic closeup photo of a person pouring cream into a cup of coffee crema. Well, you can see the mess it made with the details.
Imperfect Text and Writing
AI-generated images often struggle with rendering coherent and contextually accurate text. If there’s text present in the image, examine it closely for jumbled letters, misspellings, or nonsensical phrases.
 Source |  Created with Dream Studio |
Unnaturally Smooth Textures
Natural objects and surfaces typically have variations in texture and imperfections. AI-generated images may display unnaturally smooth or uniform textures, particularly in areas like skin, fabric, or natural landscapes.
 Source |  Created with Dream Studio |
*AI was tasked with creating a drone view image of the Bryce Canyon National Park in the United States from the top. While it does a good job, you can note that the image has more smoothness.
Unnatural Lighting and Shadows
In nature, light typically emanates from a single or few distinct sources, such as the sun, moon, or artificial lights. Each source has specific characteristics:
- Direction: Light travels in straight lines from its source.
- Intensity: The strength of light diminishes with distance from the source.
- Color: Natural and artificial light sources have different color temperatures.
- Shadows: Shadow intensity varies based on the object’s opacity and distance from the surface. Multiple light sources create complex, overlapping shadow patterns.
AI image generators often struggle with creating realistic lighting and shadows due to the complex nature of light behavior in the real world.
You should logically consider where the light sources should be based on the scene’s illumination. Ask yourself:
- Where is the main light source? Is it consistent with the shadows and highlights in the image? Are there subtle shadows in crevices or folds?
- Are there multiple light sources? Do they interact realistically with objects in the scene?
- Does the intensity and color of the light match the apparent source (e.g., warm sunlight vs. cool moonlight)?
- Are reflective surfaces accurately capturing and bouncing light?
- Does the image have overly uniform lighting across surfaces instead of variations?
 Source |  Created with Dream Studio |
We tasked AI with creating an image showing morning light illuminating a cat on a gray sofa. It did a good job with the shadows but still struggles with placement, direction, and intensity of light based on the apparent light source.
Unnatural limbs and fingers
One of the dead giveaways that an image, featuring a human subject, has been generated by AI entails looking at the limbs and fingers. Some common issues with AI-generated limbs and fingers include:
- Hands with six or more fingers, or sometimes fewer than five.
- Unnatural finger proportions that are too long, short, thick, or have extra joints.
- In group scenes, background figures may have surplus legs or arms in impossible positions.
- Fingers might merge or blend together unnaturally.
- Palms may appear veiny or have strange textures.
And why does AI struggle with limbs and fingers? Hands appear in numerous positions and angles, making them challenging for AI to consistently render. Being smaller, they are less represented in training datasets.
Will AI always struggle with limbs and fingers? Not quite. Newer models are being trained on 3D geometries, with a greater focus on challenging areas like hands and fingers.
 Source |  Created with Dream Studio |
Method 2: Checking for typical AI generation styles
AI image generators can produce a wide range of artistic styles and formats. It therefore becomes important to learn how different styles look when generated by AI generators. Here is a short of different styles:
- Photographic: Photographic-style AI images aim to mimic real photographs but never quite hit the mark.
 Source |  Created with Dream Studio |
- Digital Art: This style emulates digitally created artwork, often with a clean, polished look. When dealing with such images, check for overly perfect or symmetrical elements, unusual blending of styles or themes, or unnatural settings.
|  Created with Microsoft Designer |
- Watercolor: AI can mimic the soft, fluid appearance of watercolor paintings. But you should look for inconsistent paint flow or unrealistic color bleeding.
|  Created with Dream Studio |
- Pixel Art: This style recreates the blocky, retro aesthetic of early video game graphics. But there may be issues with inconsistent pixel size or alignment or overly complex details that wouldn’t be possible in true pixel art (see attached image).
|  Created with Microsoft Designer |
- Abstract and Surreal: AI excels at creating abstract and surreal imagery by combining unexpected elements.
|  Created with Microsoft Designer |
- Comic Book Style: AI can mimic the bold lines and vibrant colors of comic book art.
|  Created with Microsoft Designer |
- 3D Rendered: Some AI models can produce images that resemble 3D computer graphics.
|  Created with Microsoft Designer |
When examining AI-generated images across these styles, it’s important to look for telltale signs such as:
- Unnatural patterns
- Inconsistent details
- Lighting anomalies
- Contextual errors
- Overly complex images
Method 3: Performing a Metadata Analysis
Photographs taken by digital cameras or smartphones typically contain rich metadata, including:
- Camera make and model
- Date and time the photo was taken
- Exposure settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO)
- Lens information
- GPS coordinates (if location services were enabled)
- Software used for editing (if applicable)
This metadata is usually stored in the EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) or XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform) format embedded within the image file.
AI-generated images may lack typical photographic metadata or contain inconsistent information. That makes metadata analysis a valuable tool for determining whether an image has been generated by AI or captured by a real camera. You should look for:
- Look for missing or incomplete camera information
- Check for unrealistic or impossible camera settings
- Examine the creation date and software used
- Be wary of metadata that seems too perfect or generic
If you have a lot of images to analyze, there are various tools for analyzing metadata:
- ExifTool: Command-line application for reading, writing, and editing metadata.
- Jeffrey’s Image Metadata Viewer: Web-based tool that provides a detailed breakdown of image metadata.
- GIMP or Adobe Photoshop: Check their built-in metadata viewers.
- Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder: Right-click on an image and select “Properties” (Windows) or “Get Info” (Mac) to reveal basic metadata.
- Online EXIF viewers: Websites like “ExifData.com” allow you to upload images and view their metadata.
Method 4: Comparing with Known Real Images
You can compare AI-generated images with known real images to identify artificially created content when dealing with well-known subjects, objects, or landmarks. This approach relies upon our collective knowledge and the abundance of verified images available for reference.
When comparing photos of certain known locations or buildings, you should consider the:
- Architectural details: Compare intricate architectural features of buildings. AI may struggle with complex details or historical accuracy.
- Surrounding environment: Check if the surrounding landscape, vegetation, or urban elements match known reality.
- Lighting and shadows: Verify if the lighting conditions are consistent with the location’s typical weather and time of day.
- Perspective and scale: Ensure the relative sizes and distances between objects are accurate.
When analyzing deep fakes of known persons with their other known authentic photos, look for the following key aspects:
- Facial Features and Proportions: Look for subtle differences in eye position, size, or shape. unnaturally symmetrical features, and relative sizes of facial features like nose, mouth, and ears.
- Skin Texture and Details: Look for the absence of pores, moles, or subtle imperfections present in real photos. Compare the pattern and depth of wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth.
- Hair and Facial Hair: Check for consistency in the hairline shape, Hair Texture & individual hair strands, and the pattern, density, and texture of facial hair.
- Lighting and Shadows: Ensure shadows fall naturally, matching the apparent light source. Look for realistic light reflections in the eye.
- Unique Identifying Marks: Check for the presence (or absence) of known scars, birthmarks, or other unique identifying marks.
- Dental features: If visible, compare teeth alignment or any unique dental characteristics.
- Micro-expressions: Look for subtle facial movements or asymmetries and compare the expression with the person’s known facial expressions.
For easier comparison between two images, you can place them side-by-side, zoom in on specific areas, or use image editing software to overlay the suspected AI image with a real one to highlight differences.
 Source |  Created with NightCafe |
Example of Comparative Analysis with a side-by-side comparison of the Mona Lisa as seen through a crowd of visitors as it hangs behind bulletproof glass in a gallery of the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Method 5: Using AI Image Detection Tools
AI image detection tools use machine learning algorithms trained on datasets of both AI-generated and real images to identify subtle patterns and characteristics of AI-generated images. They use different techniques including:
- Examining the metadata of images for missing or inconsistent camera information
- Analyze images at the pixel level for patterns typical of AI generation but uncommon in natural photographs
- Carry out a frequency domain analysis, checking for signs that may not be visible to the naked eye.
So, what are the best AI detection tools? Well, here are some great options you can try:
AI Or Not
It provides quick authentication for images and voice.
In our analysis, we ran some of the images we generated for this article on AI or NOT. How did the tool fare? Well, the following image of Bryce Canyon was wrongly labeled as likely human.
Image analysis in AI or Not
Okay, but the tool faired well with the next image:
Results of the analysis in AI or NOT.
Note that you will always get false positives regardless of the AI detector as AI becomes more adept at generating realistic images of places, people, and even art. Other tools you can check out include:
Illuminarty
Analyses synthetic, tampered, and Deep fake images.
Maybe’s AI Detector on Huggingface
Easily accessible for basic detection.
Foto Forensics
Utilizes Error Level and MetaData Analysis for detailed image examination.
Method 6: Working with Professional Editors and Services
Automated tools can only come so far in identifying AI-generated images. The human element remains invaluable in this process.
Human editors trained in detecting AI images bring a unique set of skills and intuition that can complement and enhance technological solutions.
- Human editors excel at recognizing subtle patterns and inconsistencies that may elude automated systems.
- Our brains are adept at processing complex visual information and detecting anomalies.
- We can consider the broader context of an image, including cultural, historical, and logical aspects.
- Trained editors can quickly adapt to new AI generation techniques, often identifying novel artifacts before updating automated systems.
- Years of experience allow human editors to develop a “sixth sense” for spotting fakes, even when they can’t immediately say why an image seems off.
- Editors can first use AI detection software as a first line of defense, quickly flagging potential AI-generated images for closer inspection.
So, if in doubt whether an image is AI generated, trust a human to help you figure it out.
Image generated by NightCafe
A clear fake as the first ever President to fly on a passenger plane was President Theodore Roosevelt. Go humans!
Why is it necessary to detect AI Images?
We’ve looked at the top methods to detect AI-generated images, but why is it crucial to tell if an image has been generated by AI?
- Preventing misinformation and disinformation: AI-generated images can be used to create fake news, hoaxes, or misleading propaganda. Being able to identify AI images helps combat the spread of false information.
- Protecting intellectual property rights: Knowing if an image is AI-generated is crucial for understanding copyright and ownership issues, as the legal status of AI-created images is still evolving.
- Ensuring journalistic integrity: News organizations and journalists need to verify the authenticity of images they use to maintain credibility and accuracy in reporting.
- Maintaining authenticity in art and photography: Artists, photographers, and art collectors need to differentiate between human-created and AI-generated works for valuation and appreciation purposes.
- Detecting fraud and deception: In legal and financial contexts, AI-generated images could be used for fraudulent purposes, making detection crucial.
- Preserving human creativity: Recognizing AI-generated images helps in appreciating and preserving human artistic expression and creativity.
Conclusion: We Might Lose The Battle To Ai and What To Do Going Forward
Our two cents.
We may eventually reach a point where distinguishing between AI-generated and human-created images becomes nearly impossible. And when this happens, it’s crucial to remember what truly matters: art is fundamentally an expression of human creativity and thought.
The core of artistic expression lies not just in the final product, but in the creative thought process, emotional depth, and unique perspective that only humans can provide. AI, no matter how advanced, lacks the lived experiences, cultural context, and emotional nuances that inform human creativity.
Instead of viewing AI as a competitor or replacement for human artists, we should consider it as a sophisticated tool that can augment and enhance human creativity.
The future of art is a responsible collaboration between human artists and AI tools.
Our partnership with AI should be to create original works that add value to the artistic landscape, ensuring that the artist’s unique style and vision shine.
Cheers for reading our blog!”For more information on the legal and ethical implications of using AI-generated images, see our comprehensive article on AI image copyrights and usage rights.”
To explore more options for AI image generation, including tools with free credits, visit our roundup of the top AI image generators.”
