We’re increasingly exposed to artificial intelligence (AI) in our everyday lives and let’s be honest, the ways it can be used to mislead us are becoming ever more sophisticated.
Whether it is to sell a product that seems too good to be true, trigger an emotional response, drive engagement, or serve more malicious purposes, telling what is real from what is not can sometimes feel like a real challenge to the average internet user.
Fortunately, there are a few telltale signs and good habits that can help bring clarity. In this section, we’ll share a few simple tips to help you navigate it all with greater confidence.
Spotting AI-generated text
Several online tools claim to detect AI-generated content, but their results should really be taken with a grain of salt. They are best used as guidance rather than definitive proof, as no tool can currently determine with certainty whether a text was written by artificial intelligence.
What these “detectors” actually do is analyze different features of a text, such as sentence structure, the variety and predictability of the vocabulary, and the repetition of ideas or expressions. In general, AI-generated writing tends to follow a very neutral tone: It can come across as overly generic or, on the flip side, unusually polished and often lacks subtlety or natural imperfections.
That said, it’s not always straightforward. A human can write in a highly structured, neutral way, just as AI can mimic a more natural, human style. A better approach is to step back, evaluate the overall message, verify sources when possible, and maintain a critical mindset.
Spotting AI in images and videos (e.g., “deepfakes”)
As AI-generated images and videos (also often referred to as “deepfakes”) become more popular, they’re also increasingly used to drive engagement, manipulate or deceive. Though these generated works are growing in realism, they are not yet without their flaws.
In this case, your attention to detail is your best ally, as small inconsistencies often reveal manipulated content. Pausing a video or zooming in on an image can quickly reveal anomalies such as distorted hands, unusual facial features, unnatural movements, inconsistent backgrounds, or text that looks garbled or doesn’t make sense.
For images, reverse image search tools (like Google Lens) can be especially helpful for tracing the origin of a picture. And if an image looks almost too perfect, with no visible flaws at all, it’s usually best to view it with a bit of skepticism.
AI on social media
Artificial intelligence has also made its way onto social media, mainly through bots and conversational agents. You may have already had that strange feeling, while reading or joining a comment thread, that you’re interacting with accounts that repeat the same ideas or seem stuck in a loop.
These impressions aren’t always wrong. Today, some tools can create large numbers of highly convincing fake accounts, capable of posting, commenting, and interacting almost like real users. The website Moltbook is a good example: this forum, largely populated by conversational agents, allows you to passively observe these kinds of manufactured interactions.
There are a few telltale signs to watch for. Accounts that are very new, post constantly, reply unusually quickly, or rely on repetitive, one-dimensional responses—especially when faced with unexpected questions—should raise a red flag.
At the end of the day, the best way to navigate AI really comes down to keeping good digital habits . Take a moment to double-check information before you trust it or pass it along, stay alert to suspicious messages by learning the warning signs of phishing, and don’t rush into sharing personal details—especially if you feel pressured or emotions are running high.
As AI becomes more woven into everyday life, building critical thinking skills is more important than ever.
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