With AI video tools such as OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo now able to create realistic videos with sound in seconds, determining whether a convincing clip is genuine has become increasingly difficult, even for experienced internet users.
No single method can reliably identify AI-generated footage every time, but the warning signs below can help.
Look for watermarks
Many AI companies watermark their content to signal that it is generated. Videos created using Sora, for example, include a white cloud-shaped logo that moves around the edges of the frame, according to CNET.
Content creators have found ways to remove these marks. As a result, viewers should look closely near the corners or edges for blurred patches, smeared light, or soft squares slightly out of focus, which may indicate a removed watermark.
Check with an AI detection app
The rise of AI video generators has fueled demand for detection tools. Apps such as CloudSEK’s Deepfake Analyser assess linked videos and estimate the likelihood that the footage is artificial, PCMag reported.
If a video fails such a test, it may be AI-generated. However, detection tools are not foolproof. Videos that have been altered, compressed, or processed through third-party apps may evade detection.
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AI video tools such as OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo can now generate realistic and entertaining videos. Illustration photo from Pexels |
Watch and listen closely
AI still struggles with natural camera movement. Real handheld footage usually has slight, uneven motion, while AI-generated clips often move too smoothly, as if the camera is gliding on rails, USA Today noted.
Audio can also reveal inconsistencies. Voices or footsteps may drift out of sync, and background noise can sound unnaturally clean. Text is another weak spot, with words on signs, books, or whiteboards often appearing distorted, changing between scenes, or turning into nonsense.
Note the video resolution
Low resolution can be another clue. Livestreams, gameplay footage, or modern phone videos are rarely below 1080p. Many AI-generated clips still appear at 720p or lower.
Fake “bodycam” or “security camera” videos have surged online because grainy, low-quality visuals help mask AI flaws. If footage resembles police body cameras or doorbell recordings, it warrants closer scrutiny.
Check the source
Viewers can capture a still image and run a reverse search, such as through Google Lens, to check whether the original source can be identified. If the source is clear and widely referenced, the footage is more likely to be genuine. If not, it may be AI-generated.
Footage posted by accounts with no bio, no posting history, and no clear location should be treated with caution, as such videos are often fictional or misleading.
Remain vigilant
The only truly reliable way to know if a video is AI-generated is if the creator discloses it. Many social media platforms now allow users to label posts as AI-generated.
There is no foolproof way to identify AI-generated video at a glance. The most reliable defense is skepticism. AI technology continues to improve, and obvious visual cues will fade over time. Watching for multiple red flags at once remains the best way to avoid being misled.
