Technology

The 10 telltale signs of AI-created images

Published

9 months ago

March 21, 2025

The 10 telltale signs of AI-created images

It’s becoming more common for images to be made with AI tools.

As the artificial intelligence generation gets more advanced, it’s getting trickier to tell the difference between AI-made and human-made images. However, there are still signs to look out for.

Here are some key indicators that an image was created by AI.

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Example of an AI-created image (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

1. Detail problems

When it comes to photos of people, AI still has trouble mastering fine details like faces, textures and hands. Keep an eye out for inconsistencies such as extra fingers, strange skin tones or too many teeth.

2. Glossy or fake-looking textures

AI can’t always get textures right, so images may look too smooth or shiny. This shows up a lot in things like skin (which might look unnaturally poreless) or in nature scenes where trees or grass look kind of plasticky. If everything looks just a little too perfect, it’s probably AI.

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3. Lighting and shadow issues

One of the easiest ways to spot AI is by looking at how lighting and shadows work. You might see shadows in odd places, or the lighting could look flat or inconsistent.

4. Background irregularities

AI struggles with depth and perspective, so check the background for anything that seems off. For instance, you might see blurry objects or a distorted skyline. Sometimes, the background won’t even correctly match the image subject.

5. Messed-up words

If there are words in the image, they might look jumbled, misspelled or nonsensical. This is because AI has a tough time making legible text, especially in more complex images.

6. Hidden biases

AI learns from existing data, which can have a lot of built-in biases. As a result, AI images can showcase forms of discrimination. For example, most AI images of prestigious jobs will automatically feature White males.

Example of an AI-created image (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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7. Unrealistic elements

Sometimes, AI images will incorporate things that simply don’t make sense. This might include animals in bizarre colors, impossible gadgets and other truly unbelievable settings. If you’re questioning whether something is real, there’s a good chance it isn’t.

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Example of an AI-created image (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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8. Watermarks

Some generative AI tools automatically add a watermark to the image. This will either be included in the lower corner of an image or be embedded in the background.

9. Missing metadata

While you might not be able to see it right away, AI images usually lack metadata. This is the information that’s attached to an image file, such as photo resolution or copyright details.

To view image metadata in Windows:

Right-click the image file and select Properties
Click the Details tab in the window

To find it on a Mac:

Right-click the image file
Select Get Info

On real photos, metadata will be displayed. This information is missing when a photo is generated by AI.

10. Reverse image search

For the more deceptive photos, try doing a reverse image search to track down where one came from. If it’s all over social media but not on trusted sites, be wary.

Think you can spot the fake? Put your skills to the test with my “Find the Fake” games here.

Kurt’s key takeaways

AI-generated images are becoming increasingly popular. While the technology may be useful in certain situations, it can also bring up big concerns around trust and security. That’s why it’s crucial to know how to spot AI images to help stop misinformation and protect brand credibility.

What other types of AI content would you like help identifying? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

TikTok ban: all the news on the app’s shutdown and return in the US

Published

8 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

TikTok ban: all the news on the app’s shutdown and return in the US

After briefly going dark in the US to comply with the divest-or-ban law targeting ByteDance that went into effect on January 19th, TikTok quickly came back online. It eventually reappeared in the App Store and Google Play as negotiations between the US and China continued, and Donald Trump continued to sign extensions directing officials not to apply the law’s penalties.

Finally, in mid-December, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew told employees that the agreements to create TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, which includes Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX as part owners, have been signed, and the deal is expected to close on January 22nd, 2026. His letter said that for users in the US, the new joint venture will oversee data protection, the security of a newly-retrained algorithm, content moderation, and the deployment of the US app and platform.

Read on for all the latest news on the TikTok ban law in the US.

Technology

Secret phrases to get you past AI bot customer service

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Secret phrases to get you past AI bot customer service

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Say you’re calling customer service because you need help. Maybe your bill is wrong, your service is down or you want a refund. Instead of a person, a cheerful AI voice answers and drops you into an endless loop of menus and misunderstood prompts. Now what?

That’s not an accident. Many companies use what insiders call “frustration AI.” The system is specifically designed to exhaust you until you hang up and walk away.

Not today. (Get more tips like this at GetKim.com)

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Here are a few ways to bypass “frustration” AI bots. (Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Use the magic words

You want a human. For starters, don’t explain your issue. That’s the trap. You need words the AI has been programmed to treat differently.

Nuclear phrases: When the AI bot asks why you’re calling, say, “I need to cancel my service” or “I am returning a call.” The word cancel sets off alarms and often sends you straight to the customer retention team. Saying you’re returning a call signals an existing issue the bot cannot track. I used that last weekend when my internet went down, and, bam, I had a human.

Power words: When the system starts listing options, clearly say one word: “Supervisor.” If that doesn’t work, say, “I need to file a formal complaint.” Most systems are not programmed to deal with complaints or supervisors. They escalate fast.

Technical bypass: Asked to enter your account number? Press the pound key (#) instead of numbers. Many older systems treat unexpected input as an error and default to a human.

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“Supervisor” is one magic word that can get you a human on the other end of the line. (Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images)

Go above the bots

If direct commands fail with AI, be a confused human.

The Frustration Act: When the AI bot asks a question, pause. Wait 10 seconds before answering. These systems are built for fast, clean responses. Long pauses often break the flow and send your call to a human.

The Unintelligible Bypass: Stuck in a loop? Act like your phone connection is terrible. Say garbled words or nonsense. After the system says, “I’m having trouble understanding you” three times, many bots automatically transfer you to a live agent.

The Language Barrier Trick: If the company offers multiple languages, choose one that’s not your primary language or does not match your accent. The AI often gives up quickly and routes you to a human trained to handle language issues.

Use these tricks when you need help. You are calling for service, not an AI bot.

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Long pauses and garbled language can also get you referred to a human. (iStock)

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Technology

The latest iPad Air is $400 for the first time and arrives by Christmas

Published

20 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

The latest iPad Air is 0 for the first time and arrives by Christmas

If you have $400 and want an iPad, your options are usually kind of limited to either just the base iPad, or better yet, the latest iPad Mini — if it happens to be on sale when you’re shopping (it is now, but that’s not always the case). But right now, you should consider getting the 128GB version of Apple’s 11-inch iPad Air with the capable M3 processor. At Target, multiple colors of this model are $399.99, beating the previous low of $449.99 we’ve seen during large-scale deal events. Currently, no other retailer is matching this price. This sale ends Saturday night.

$400 is a sweet price for this model, as it debuted in early 2025 for $600. In terms of how it stacks up to other iPad models, Verge editor-at-large David Pierce said in his impressions that the M3 Air is “exactly what you think it is. Which is fine.” I know, that sounds like a back-handed compliment, but it’s been a while since iPads peaked in terms of utility, design, and fast performance. This one carries the torch in Apple’s tablet dominance, and its M3 processor means it’ll be a fantastic tablet for longer than any other iPad at the $400 price point. Read our in-depth impressions.