By Mark Shapiro, Editor at Internet Video Magazine
vidiot3786@gmail.com
What are 5 effective ways to tell if an online video is real or AI-generated (deepfake or synthetic):
1. Check for Unnatural Facial Movements and Eye Blinking
- AI-generated faces may blink less often or too rhythmically, and their mouth movements might not sync perfectly with speech.
- Look for odd facial expressions, inconsistent lighting on the face, or unnatural transitions when a person turns their head.
2. Inspect Hands, Reflections, and Backgrounds
- AI often struggles with realistic hands, reflections in mirrors or glasses, or complex background interactions.
- Look for:
- Warped or missing fingers
- Jewelry disappearing and reappearing
- Inconsistent shadows or blurry backgrounds
3. Analyze the Audio-Visual Sync
- Mismatched lip movements and speech can indicate a synthetic video.
- Poor syncing between voice tone/emotion and facial expression is a red flag.
4. Use Reverse Image and Video Search Tools
- Take a screenshot and use Google Reverse Image Search, InVID, or Amnesty’s YouTube DataViewer to check if the video:
- Appeared earlier under a different context
- Has been tampered with or re-uploaded from other sources
5. Check Metadata and Source Credibility
- Download the video (if possible) and inspect metadata using tools like ExifTool—many deepfakes have scrubbed or altered metadata.
- Ask: Who posted the video? Is the source reliable or verified? Was it posted from an anonymous or low-follower account?
