Hoaxes and artificial intelligence - The Internet was, is and will always be synonymous with lies

The post discusses the challenge of determining what is real and what is fake online, especially with the rise of AI-generated content. Deepfakes are highlighted as a prime example of how AI blurs the line between reality and falsehood. The article suggests that one way to spot deepfakes is by looking at the hands and feet, as AI struggles to replicate their complexity accurately. Other red flags to watch out for include lighting, shadows, and unnatural movements in videos. It is emphasized that individuals need to be their own fact-checkers and consider the credibility of the source. The future implications of AI advancements in creating fakes are also raised, highlighting the need for more sophisticated ways to discern reality. Despite the challenges, it is important to stay smart, think critically, and use available tools to combat misinformation. All right, everyone, so today we're taking a deep dive into something I know a lot of you are fascinated by and a little freaked out by. It's the whole world of online truth, and how do we even know what's real anymore, especially with AI pumping out content like crazy these days? And we're going to be looking at this article called The Internet Was, Is, and Always Will Be Synonymous With Lies. Catchy title. I know, right? Like super dramatic, but it kind of makes you think, doesn't it? Like, is everything online a lie? Well, obviously not everything, but figuring out what to trust is getting tougher than ever. It is. Especially thanks to AI and all the stuff it can do now. Yeah. So we're going to really zero in on this whole AI and misinformation thing today. Okay. And specifically, we're going to talk about deep fakes, which are kind of the ultimate example of how AI can really blur the lines between what's real and what's fake. Yeah, no, absolutely. I mean, the internet's always had its fair share of fake news. Yeah. I'm going to say creative interpretations of the truth. Okay. Sure. But this article is right. AI is taking things to a whole new level. Totally. And I bet you're listening to this right now and thinking, okay, so how am I supposed to actually spot these deep fakes? Right. It's a good question. Like it feels impossible sometimes. It can. So get this. This article had the most surprising tip. Okay. It's all about the fingers and toes. Really? I know, right? I was like, what? That's so weird. But it's actually brilliant when you think about it. Okay. I'm intrigued. Tell me more. So basically, as good as AI is getting, it still can't perfectly copy how complex the human body is. Interesting. Especially our hands and feet. Like all those little bones and joints and the way they move. It's really hard to fake that convincingly. Okay. I see. So that's why a lot of times when you see hands in an AI generated image, they just look kind of ... Ah, yeah. Maybe there's too many fingers or the joints are bending in weird ways. That makes sense. And AI misses those details because it's trained on these massive data sets of images. Right. But it's still not perfect at understanding those subtle nuances. I got it. So that's where we come in. Like we have to actually use our eyes and our brains and look for those red flags. Yeah. It's like being a detective almost. It is. But I mean fingers and toes. That's just one thing, right? Yeah. Yeah. There are other things to look out for too. Like what? Yeah. There are other things like lighting and shadows. Oh, okay. Like do they make sense? Are they consistent? Oh, that's a good point. And how about the movements in videos? Do they seem natural or are they kind of jerky and unnatural? Yeah. I've noticed that sometimes. Exactly. And don't forget about tools like reverse image search. Right. Which can help you see if that image has been used somewhere else, maybe in a totally different context. It's amazing what you can find with that. Yeah. Yeah. It's like we really have to be our own fact checkers these days. Absolutely. One thing that always helps me is thinking about the source. Like is this information coming from a place that's known for doing their homework and fact checking? Like a reputable news organization or something. Exactly. Or is it from some random website or social media account with a history of bias or pushing a certain agenda? Right. Because sometimes the source is the biggest giveaway. Definitely. It's like you have to do your research on the source just as much as the information itself. Exactly. It's a really kind of unsettling thought. What's that? If AI is already this good at making fakes, where does that leave us in the future? Oh, that's the big question, isn't it? Like what happens when it gets even better? Right. Are we going to need even more sophisticated ways to tell what's real? I mean, it's exciting in a way. Oh, absolutely. Like the technology is so incredible. It is. But it's also kind of scary because it feels like we're always going to be playing catch up. Yeah. It's a little unnerving. For sure. Okay. We've established that the internet has always been a little bit of a wild west when it comes to truth. True. But AI is making it even more challenging. Definitely. But that doesn't mean we're totally powerless, right? Right. We have to be smart. We have to think critically, be aware of these common flaws in AI-generated stuff. Yes. Use all the tools we have available, and hey, maybe we'll all become like amateur hand and foot anatomy experts along the way. There you go. It's a silver lining. Right. Yeah. So keep those fingers and toes in mind, everybody. Good advice. And stay skeptical out there. Stay vigilant. All right. We'll see you next time for another Deep Dive.