Synthetic Media Lab
Most people think they can spot a fake. Research shows humans correctly identify high-quality AI-generated images only 24.5% of the time. Explore the 7 visual artifacts trained researchers use to detect synthetic media — and understand why even these heuristics have limits.
Includes facilitator mode for classroom or workshop use. Toggle it in the tool below.
The goal of this tool is calibrated caution — not a checklist. The same heuristics that work on 2022 deepfakes are becoming unreliable against 2026 generators. What we can teach is skepticism, verification habits, and the specific contexts where deepfake harm most commonly occurs — not a detection skill that will scale with the technology.
Interactive Tool
Synthetic Media Lab
7 visual tells researchers use to spot AI-generated images
Eye Reflections
AI consistently fails to render consistent light reflections in eyes.
What to look for
Look for: catch-lights appearing on the wrong side of the pupil; duplicate reflections; reflections that don't match the scene's light source; blank or flat pupils with no depth.
Left eye vs. right eye
Real eye
Single catch-light at consistent angle. Pupil has depth and subtle limbal ring. Cornea reflects environment.
AI-generated
Duplicate catch-lights. Reflections at different angles in each eye. Pupil appears flat or plastic-like.
Quick heuristic
Compare the left and right eye reflections. In a real photo, they are mirror-consistent. In AI images, they often don't match.
When skepticism alone isn't enough
Detection heuristics matter for media literacy, but they are not the primary defense against deepfake harm in school and family contexts. The primary defenses are: knowing what to do if an image of you or your child appears, and having established the trust that someone will tell you when something happens.
If images of a minor appear
NCMEC Take It Down (takeitdown.ncmec.org) — free, anonymous, hash-based blocking across platforms.
Take It Down →If images of an adult appear
StopNCII.org — same hash-based mechanism for adults, across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit.
StopNCII.org →Legal aid and crisis support
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative offers a 24/7 helpline, attorney referrals, and a step-by-step victim guide.
CCRI Safety Center →Want CPAI education resources for your school or community?
We partner with districts, libraries, and nonprofits to deliver research-based AI education.