Generative Artificial Intelligence Definition
“Generative AI refers to deep-learning models that can generate high-quality text, images, and other content based on the data they were trained on.” (Martineau, 2023).
This image was created by a Librarian using Canva's Magic Media Generator. It is an AI image. What do you notice about the image? Canva allows users to quickly create images for personal use. Other companies may have stricter generation guidelines. Always check what copyright allows.
Detecting AI Images
Not sure if a video, photo, or other piece of media was created by artificial intelligence (AI)?
As AI- generated content becomes more prevalent across the internet, it becomes increasingly important for people to know how to spot it.
Note: Images can be reverse searched through Google Images by selecting search by image in the search bar. Review the visually similar results to check if your image has been posted online elsewhere.
Deep fakes:
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"A deepfake usually refers to a highly realistic but fake image, video, or audio of a person saying or doing something they never actually said or did"(University of Arizona Libraries).
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Deepfakes generated by AI may have several tells. (See the following article) (MIT).
Here are some visual cues that can help you differentiate between deepfakes and the real thing:
- Fingers often appear strange
- Facial hair may be overly smooth
- AI may place objects in strange places. Why is a tree growing out of the picnic blanket?
- Facial features like the eyes and mouth shape are distorted.
Sources
Martineau, K. (2023, April 20). What is Generative AI? IBM Blog. https://research.ibm.com/blog/what-is-generative-AI
MIT Media Lab. (n.d.). Project Overview’ detect deepfakes: How to counteract misinformation created by AI. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from, https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/detect-fakes/overview/
MIT Sloan Teaching & Learning Technologies. (2024, May 7). When AI gets it wrong: Addressing ai hallucinations and bias. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://mitsloanedtech.mit.edu/ai/basics/addressing-ai-hallucinations-and-bias/
University of Arizona Libraries. (n.d). What is a “deepfake?” And how can I recognize images that have been created with generative AI? University of Arizona. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from, https:// https://ask.library.arizona.edu/faq/407977
Zewe, A (2023, November 9). Explained: Generative AI. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://news.mit.edu/2023/explained-generative-ai-1109
Practice your skills
- Detect FakesThis resource allows you to guess whether a certain image is real or is artificially generated.
- Moon DisasterThis resource is a digital installation link that allows you to interact with, and investigate, a deepfake video.
- Break the FakeCanada's Centre for Digital Media Literacy
Additional Resources
- Increasing Threat of Deepfake Identitiesreport from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
- Deceptive Audio or Visual Media (‘Deepfakes’) 2024 Legislationsummary of current pending legislature in over 40 states from the National Conference of State Legislature.