Spotting AI Fakes A Guide to Digital Reality

The Blurring Line Between Real and AI

Content generated and manipulated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming so realistic it's often indistinguishable from the real thing. It’s now possible to create an image of a person standing in front of the Hollywood sign, even if they were actually in a studio miles away. This incredible technology makes it easier than ever to fake images of famous people and places, opening the door for misinformation to spread rapidly.

What might start as a harmless, AI-generated video of bunnies on a trampoline can quickly escalate. Fake stories, doctored photos of major news events, or false images of public figures can be used to create scams, incite community discord, or spread chaos.

Creators Using AI to Fight Misinformation

Fortunately, some content creators are using their skills for good. By creating their own AI-powered content, they are educating the public on just how easy it is to be tricked, equipping them with the skills to spot the fakes.

One such creator is Madeline Salazar. In her popular video series, she challenges viewers to guess which item is real and which is an AI creation. In one viral example, she holds what appears to be two purses, but one is revealed to be a potato seamlessly transformed by AI. Salazar uses tools like Adobe Firefly and Photoshop to generate graphics and overlay them onto her video footage. "The average person probably can’t create an incredible, indecipherable AI-generated video and post it, but it is progressing every day," she explains. While she receives criticism for teaching these techniques, Salazar maintains her goal is to raise awareness.

Filmmaker Travis Bible also works to educate the public, creating a viral public service announcement video to show his parents the power of AI. "I don’t want people to be caught off guard," Bible says. "It’s not coming, it’s here."

How to Spot AI Fakes Today

While AI technology is advancing quickly, Bible points out that there are still some common flubs you can look for to spot a fake.

He suggests examining the details. Does the image look almost too professional? Is there strange blurring around the edges of a person or object? Are there weird, illogical things happening in the background? "A year from now, that might not be true anymore," he warns. "That’s how fast it’s advancing."

The Growing Threat of Deepfake Technology

The risks associated with AI fakes, or deepfakes, are being taken seriously at the highest levels. The Department of Homeland Security released a report warning that deepfakes pose credible threats to national security and personal finances. The report highlights that people's natural tendency to believe what they see makes deepfakes particularly effective for spreading misinformation.

The financial impact is already staggering. A report from Resemble AI, a voice technology company, detailed that AI-powered deepfakes led to over $200 million in financial losses in the first quarter of 2025. The report also found that criminal exploitation has evolved beyond scams to include targeted harassment and blackmail, with women and children facing growing threats.

Key findings from these reports include:

• The effectiveness of deepfakes relies on people's tendency to believe what they see.
• The risk of deepfake attacks is rising as the technology becomes cheaper and more accessible.
• Combating deepfakes requires a combination of innovation, education, and regulation.

Your Best Defense is Critical Thinking

Travis Bible stresses that in the current environment, critical thinking and common sense are more reliable than our own eyes and ears. "Do your best to use common sense on if this would actually be happening," he advises. "The line between what’s AI and what’s real...it’s getting very blurred."

This was proven when television host Chris Cuomo reposted a deepfake video of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, even though the video was already labeled as an AI creation. Ocasio-Cortez responded on X, "This is a deepfake dude. Please use your critical thinking skills." Cuomo later acknowledged his error.

This incident highlights the core danger of AI fakes. As Bible notes, "You’re starting to erode what’s true and what’s fake... innocuous things can kind of lead to more and more of this stuff and people not knowing what to believe."

This is precisely why creators like Travis Bible and Madeline Salazar continue their work, showing the "real side" of artificial reality to help everyone become more discerning digital citizens. If you want to put your new skills to the test, you can play an interactive game to see if you can spot AI-manipulated images.