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Visual Media & Multimedia Literacy Guide

This guide provides tools and information to help students evaluate and interpret visual media and multimedia (i.e., images, videos, artwork, photography, etc.) in their coursework and research.

AI Image or Authentic?

Take a look at these two photos. Can you determine which one is authentic and which one is AI generated?

 

Although posted by an account titled "History X", and although the description of the photo indicates this was a photo taken in 1947, this photo is actually AI generated. Look closely at the signs in the photo. Many of the signs have misspellings and are generally nonsensical. 

This photo of The Moulin Rouge in Las Vegas (circa 1955) is an authentic photo taken by the Las Vegas News Bureau.

Resources for Evaluating AI Sources

AI Image Detectors

Although AI Image detectors have varied (and not always the most accurate) results, they are another evolving tool that can help give a sense if an image is AI or not. However, although tools like this can be helpful, determining the source of an image is the best and most accurate way to determine its authenticity.