Learn how to detect AI-generated images with our simple UK guide. Follow step-by-step tips and free tools to spot fake photos, deepfakes, and AI art in seconds
How to Detect AI-Generated Images
In 2025, AI can create jaw-dropping photos in seconds, but not everything you see online is real. Knowing how to detect AI-generated images has become an essential skill for everyone, from journalists to everyday scrollers. This friendly, straightforward UK guide will teach you exactly how to detect AI-generated images using nothing more than your eyes and a few free tools. Let’s get started.
Why Learning to Detect AI-Generated Images Matters
Fake images spread misinformation, fuel scams, and even influence elections. With tools like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion now in everyone’s pocket, the line between real and artificial has never been blurrier. The good news? AI still leaves tell-tale clues if you know where to look.
Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need expensive software. Here’s what works brilliantly:
- Free online detectors (Hive Moderation, Illuminarty, Content at Scale)
- Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye
- A phone or computer with zoom capability
- Optional: FotoForensics (free error level analysis tool)
Step-by-Step: How to Detect AI-Generated Images
Step 1: Zoom In and Check the Details
Magnify the image. Look at hands (extra or missing fingers are common), eyes (reflections often missing or mismatched), and hair (strands sometimes merge unnaturally).
Step 2: Examine Backgrounds and Edges
AI often blurs backgrounds oddly or creates “impossible” blends where objects meet. Check for soft, dreamy edges around people that don’t quite match the rest of the photo.
Step 3: Look for Repeating Patterns
Scan crowds, fabrics, or foliage. AI loves to duplicate tiny elements instead of creating unique ones. Spot the same face twice? Classic giveaway.
Step 4: Check Text and Logos
Letters on signs, book covers, or clothing frequently turn into gibberish or melt together. If the writing looks slightly wrong, it probably is.
Step 5: Run It Through Free AI Detectors
Upload the image to at least two of these trusted tools:
- Hive Moderation (hivemoderation.com/ai-generated-content-detection)
- Illuminarty (illuminarty.ai)
- Content at Scale AI Image Detector. They’ll give you a percentage likelihood of AI generation.
Step 6: Do a Reverse Image Search
Right-click and “Search image with Google” or use TinEye. Real photos usually have a history; brand-new viral images with no prior matches are suspicious.
Step 7: Analyse Lighting and Shadows
Light sources should be consistent. AI often places shadows in the wrong direction or forgets them entirely.
Step 8: Use Forensic Tools (Optional but Powerful)
Visit FotoForensics.com and upload the image for Error Level Analysis (ELA). AI-generated sections often glow differently from real photography.
Extra Tips for UK Users
- Follow the BBC Verify team and Full Fact for the latest detection advice.
- Join British subreddits like r/IsItAI or r/TheseAreNotReal for community practice.
- Remember: even the best detectors aren’t perfect yet, so combine human observation with tools.
Learning how to detect AI-generated images is now as important as spotting a dodgy email. Start practising today, and you’ll soon spot fakes in seconds. Have you caught any recently? Drop your examples in the comments!
FAQ
Q: Which free tool is most accurate right now?
A: Hive Moderation and Illuminarty consistently score highest in independent tests.
Q: Can you detect AI images on a phone?
A: Yes. Most detectors have mobile-friendly sites, and you can pinch-to-zoom for detail checks.
Q: Do all AI images have glitches?
A: No. Top-tier models are getting scarily good, which is why multiple checks matter.
Q: What about heavily edited photos?
A: Partial AI use is harder to spot, but look for style clashes or sudden changes in noise/grain.
Q: Is it illegal to share AI images without saying they’re fake?
A: In the UK, it can be if used to mislead (e.g. elections or fraud), but labelling is still voluntary for most content.
