How to spot AI-generated videos with simple visual checks
From blinking patterns to shadow mismatches, Mashable’s guide explains how simple inconsistencies often reveal a video is AI-made.
Mashable offers a hands-on guide to help users detect AI-generated videos by observing subtle technical cues. Key warning signs include mismatched lip movements and speech, where voices are dubbed over real footage and audio isn’t perfectly aligned with mouth motions.
Users are also advised to look for visual anomalies such as unnatural blurs, distorted shadows or odd lighting effects that seem inconsistent with natural environments. Deepfake videos can show slight flickers around faces or uneven reflections that betray their artificial origin.
Blinking, or the lack thereof, can also be revealing. AI faces often fail to replicate natural blinking patterns, and may display either no blinking or irregular frequency.
Viewers should also note unnatural head or body movements that do not align with speech or emotional expression, such as stiff postures or awkward gestures.
Experts stress these cues are increasingly well-engineered, making deepfakes harder to detect visually. They recommend combining observation with source verification, such as tracing the video back to reputable outlets or conducting reverse image searches for robust protection.
Ultimately, better detection tools and digital media literacy are essential to maintaining trust in online content.
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