Evidence Centre guide

How to Check Whether an Image May Be AI-Generated

Learn how to assess images for possible AI generation using provenance, context, reverse-image search and visual clues—without overclaiming certainty.

Written and reviewed by the Another AI Lie Editorial Team · Last reviewed 2 September 2026

In brief: There is no single visual clue that proves an image was made with AI. Compression, editing and unusual real-world scenes can also look strange. Treat “AI detection” as a prompt to investigate, then rely on provenance and context.

Preserve the original

Do not rely only on a reposted screenshot. Save the original link, account name, caption and publication time. Cropping and platform recompression remove useful context and can create misleading artefacts.

Check provenance first

Ask who first published the image, whether they describe where and when it was captured, and whether an original file or photographer is named. A credible chain of custody is usually stronger evidence than an automated score.

Look for inconsistencies, not “tells”

Inspect text, hands, jewellery, reflections, shadows and repeated patterns. Treat odd details as questions, not a verdict: a damaged lens, composite edit or low-resolution upload can produce similar anomalies.

Search for earlier appearances

Use reverse-image search and ordinary web search to locate earlier versions. An image attached to a new event may be an authentic old photograph used in the wrong context. Compare dates, locations and captions.

Report uncertainty clearly

Say what you observed: “the source is unclear”, “this appears in 2022 posts”, or “the metadata was unavailable”. Avoid claiming an image is AI-made unless the evidence supports that conclusion.

A quick evidence routine

Work from the original material whenever possible. Keep a note of the source, the date and the specific claim you are checking, then distinguish what you directly observed from what an account or caption says. Search for independent evidence that could confirm or challenge it. This simple record makes it easier to revisit a conclusion if new information appears.

Good verification is often less dramatic than a quick verdict. If the evidence is mixed, say so. If you cannot establish the source or context, treat that uncertainty as part of the result rather than filling the gap with an assumption. A careful pause can prevent a false claim from travelling further.

Before you share

Ask whether your wording reflects the strength of the evidence. Link to the original source when it is available, avoid attacking the person who posted the material, and correct a previous share if better information emerges. These habits improve the quality of the information around a claim as well as the accuracy of one post.

Useful primary resources

Try it on an image claim

Check the caption or claim attached to an image

Paste what the image is claimed to show. This compact check examines the public evidence for that claim; use the full checker to upload the image itself.