How to Spot AI-Generated Visuals in Under 60 Seconds

Artificial intelligence is getting better at creating images that look stunningly real. From photorealistic portraits to surreal landscapes, AI-generated visuals are everywhere — in ads, memes, social media, and even news feeds. But if you know what to look for, you can still spot an AI image in less than a minute. Here’s how.

1. Start with the Eyes and Hands

Human eyes and hands are the hardest for AI models to render consistently. In portraits:

Eyes: Look for unnatural reflections, mismatched pupils, or inconsistent gaze directions. Sometimes one eye looks sharper or more detailed than the other.
Hands: AI often creates too many fingers, misshapen nails, or oddly bent wrists. If something about the hands “feels off,” trust that instinct.

🕒 Spotting time: 10 seconds

2. Scan for Symmetry (or Lack Thereof)

AI loves symmetry but often overdoes it. Faces may look too perfect, objects may appear mirrored, or earrings and clothing folds might duplicate unnaturally. In other cases, backgrounds may be oddly warped or asymmetrical where symmetry should exist.

🕒 Spotting time: 10 seconds

3. Examine Text and Small Details

Zoom in on any text — like signs, book covers, or clothing logos. AI still struggles with generating coherent writing, so you’ll often see gibberish letters or inconsistent fonts. Similarly, jewelry, buttons, and teeth can look melted, blurred, or duplicated.

🕒 Spotting time: 10 seconds

4. Check the Background

AI models sometimes blend subjects and surroundings incorrectly. You might see:

Warped architecture or objects that fade into each other
Lighting that doesn’t match between foreground and background
Shadows that don’t align with the light source

If the background feels dreamlike or “too clean,” it might be AI.

🕒 Spotting time: 15 seconds

5. Look for Style Inconsistencies

Many AI images mix photographic realism with painterly or 3D elements. Ask yourself:

Does the texture of the skin match the hair or fabric detail?
Do lighting and depth look consistent?
If not, it’s likely generated.

🕒 Spotting time: 10 seconds

6. Use Quick Digital Tools

If you’re still unsure, a few online tools can analyze images for AI fingerprints:

Hugging Face AI Detector
Illuminarty
AI or Not
Simply upload the image — these platforms use forensic cues like metadata and pixel patterns to identify AI content.

🕒 Spotting time: 5 seconds

Final Tip: Train Your Gut

The best detector is experience. Once you’ve reviewed a few AI visuals, you’ll start to recognize the uncanny “almost right” feeling they give off — the small flaws that no human photographer or painter would make.