An AI celebrity endorsement refers to a digitally fabricated image, video, or audio clip where artificial intelligence is used to falsely portray a celebrity endorsing a product, political figure, or movement. However, this is not just about photoshopping an image. AI can now create hyper-realistic videos and even replicate a person’s voice. This makes it extremely difficult to distinguish between authentic and fake content.
The rise of AI celebrity content has already caused confusion, especially in the political realm.
Check for Unnatural Visual Details
One of the easiest ways to spot an AI-generated celebrity endorsement is by closely examining the visual details. AI-generated images and videos, while often realistic, tend to have small errors that give them away. These might include odd lighting, strange hand positioning, or unnatural facial expressions that don’t quite match the celebrity’s typical look.
In the case of the fake Elton John MAGA coat photo, viewers noticed that the letters on his coat seemed awkwardly placed and the overall image lacked proper shadows and depth.
Don’t take it at face value. Always examine the details.
Reverse Image Search the Content
A quick way to verify whether a celebrity endorsement is real is to use reverse image search tools. If you come across an AI celebrity endorsement that seems suspicious, upload the image or video frame into a search engine like Google Images.
This will help you find the original source of the image and see if has been manipulated. In many cases, fake AI images are repurposed from real photos but altered to show a false narrative.
Look for Verified Sources
When it comes to AI celebrity endorsements, it is crucial to check where the content is coming from. A reliable way to spot a fake is to consider the source. If you see a celebrity endorsement on a random social media account with no verification, be skeptical.
Celebrities tend to make big political endorsements through official channels. Like their verified social media accounts, press releases, or news interviews. So, if an endorsement is not coming from a celebrity’s verified profile or a reputable media outlet, it is likely a fake.
Watch for Inconsistent Audio or Video
AI is capable of generating highly convincing video and audio content, but there are still tell-tale signs that can give away a fake. In AI-generated videos, look for inconsistencies in speech patterns, lip-syncing, and body language.
Sometimes, an AI video will show a celebrity speaking in a voice that sounds a little too robotic or out of sync with their facial movements.
Similarly, AI-generated audio can sound overly flat or lack the emotional nuances you would expect from a real person.
For example, if you were watching the Will Smith AI video closely, you might notice that the conversation and movements don’t quite match the natural flow of real-life interaction. These subtle discrepancies often mean that the content is AI-generated.
Analyze the Context and Timing
Another way to detect AI celebrity endorsements is to pay attention to the timing and context in which the content appears. If an endorsement seems to come out of nowhere, especially if it is political, it is worth questioning. Celebrities usually make endorsements at key moments. It could be during election cycles or around important issues they have spoken about in the past.
So, if an AI-generated video or image shows up suddenly without any previous context, it is probably fabricated.