How to Tell If a Video or Photo Is AI-Generated (Guide for Creatives)

Short answer: Look at details AI often gets wrong: hands, text, jewellery, reflections, fabric edges and physics in motion. Then check the source and any content credentials. Detector tools can help, but none are fully reliable, so treat their result as a hint, not proof.

Visual signs in photos

Check	What to look for
Hands and fingers	Extra, merged or bent fingers
Text and logos	Garbled letters, warped brand marks
Jewellery and accessories	Earrings that do not match, melted chains
Fabric	Seams that vanish, patterns that do not line up
Background	Repeating shapes, objects that merge
Lighting	Shadows going in different directions

Signs in video

• Objects or fabric that morph between frames.
• Faces that subtly change across a clip.
• Motion that ignores physics, like hair moving without wind.
• Cuts every few seconds (many AI clips are short).

Detection tools

AI image and video detectors estimate probability. They can be wrong both ways, especially after an image is compressed, edited or screenshotted. Also check for content credentials (C2PA) metadata and the original source account.

For creatives: disclose your AI work

Clear labelling builds trust with clients and audiences, and some platforms and regions require it. A simple "Made with AI" note in the caption or credits is enough in most cases. Learn more in AI Ethics for Creatives.

Questions

Can you always tell if a video is AI-generated? No. Good AI video can be very hard to spot, so combine visual checks, source checks and detectors.

Are AI detectors accurate? They are useful hints but not proof; results change after editing or compression.

Should I label my AI fashion images? Yes, it is good practice and often required by platforms.