- There is no 100% reliable video detector; it combines technical signals and context.
- Pay attention to shadows, eyes, hands, backgrounds, audio quality and synchronization.
- Use detection and verification services, but interpret with caution.
- The rise of deepfakes increases the risks of disinformation and fraud.
We live in a time when the videos created with Artificial Intelligence They're multiplying on social media and messaging apps. Many pique curiosity, others entertain, but some aim to confuse or even scam. Learning to distinguish them isn't a whim: it's the difference between being well-informed and falling for a hoax.
Before going into detail, it's worth noting that there is still no infallible and universal method to detect all synthetic videos. Even so, there are some very useful signals, Tricks verification and online services that can help identify content generated or manipulated with IA, always with a healthy dose of skepticism.
What exactly are AI videos?
When we talk about AI videos, we're referring to audiovisual pieces that have been generated entirely or partially using algorithmic tools. At the most ambitious end of the spectrum are models capable of producing a complete sequence from a single instruction, which is known as text-to-videoThe most talked-about example today is Sora, developed by OpenAI, which is not yet public but whose samples have amazed with their realism.
In these demonstrations, the landscapes, objects, and scenes seem very believable; the trickery is most noticeable in the humans, with slightly unnatural movements or microexpressions that don't quite fit. It's a useful clue, although technology is evolving rapidly and making fewer and fewer visible errors.
This ability to generate video in just a few seconds opens up great creative possibilities, but also obvious risksFrom disinformation and fraud to manipulation campaigns, mastering verification criteria is key.
Editing with AI is not the same as generating video with AI
It's important to distinguish between three different uses of AI in audiovisual media, because they don't represent the same level of automation or the same potential for deception. First, there are the tools that help to edit faster: removing silences, polishing audio, or assisting with editing. Descript, Filmora, and Adobe Premiere Pro are notable examples.
Secondly, we find solutions that generate elements to integrate into a project: talking avatars, scripts, slideshows or basic editing with archival footage. Common examples are Google Vids, Pictory, or Synthesia, which streamline the workflow but don't necessarily deliver a polished final product without human intervention.
Thirdly, there are the generators that aspire to create the full video based on a request. For now, they are few, with limited access and variable results; however, everything indicates that they will soon become more common and video platforms could be flooded with this type of content.
How to recognize an AI-generated video
Identifying synthetic video is becoming increasingly difficult, but there are recurring signs. One of the clearest is the coherence flawsElements that suddenly change, details that disappear or merge, or textures that don't fit with the rest of the scene.
Another clue is the movement of people and animals. Systems are improving, but they can still appear. rigid gestures, empty stares, arms that do not follow natural trajectories or slightly out-of-sync lip synchronizations.
Common sense also matters: if the situation seems completely implausible or like something out of a viral joke, be suspicious. plausibility of the story It's a clue that's just as valid as the technical aspect.
Context and critical thinking: the first filter
Before you focus on pixels, stop for a second. Context is your best ally: ask yourself who posted the video, with what intention, and what emotion does it want to evoke?If the content makes you angry, laugh, or instantly moves you, take a breath and examine it calmly.
Ask yourself basic questions: Is this a well-known person doing something unusual or illegal? Is it related to a current controversy and is it seeking to go viral? Is it being shared by reliable accounts or rather anonymous profiles? These control questions They greatly reduce the risk of falling into traps.
Next, try to locate the original source: check if the video appears in other media, review its age, and trace if there is a version of it. higher quality or if the author indicates that it is generated content. Sometimes, simply going back to the source eliminates the doubt.
Visual and acoustic clues that betray AI
Lights and shadows. AI tools still struggle with realistic lighting. Observe if the shadows are where they should be, if their sharpness and direction They match the light source and whether the reflections behave as they would in real life.
Eyes and reflections. Our eyes reflect what's in front of them. In many deepfakes and generated videos, that reflection is unconvincing or nonexistent. Furthermore, the irregular blinking or strange iris transitions when moving the gaze may be a synthetic symptom.
Anatomy and proportions. The hands are the Achilles' heel of many models: extra or missing fingers, impossible joints, fusions between limbs, or improbable folds of clothingIt also highlights the disproportion between head, neck, and shoulders, or poorly positioned hair.
Suspicious quality. In a world where every mobile phone records cinematic footage, a key video circulating only in low resolution is rare. If the material is meant to prove something important... only exists in pixelation And if a clear version doesn't appear, be suspicious.
Backgrounds and text. Simplified or blurred backgrounds without reason, distorted objects in the background, or posters with illegible letters Absurd characters are common in generators. Excessive symmetry or exaggerated facial expressions are also unsettling.
Audio and synchronization. Voice cloning is now within reach; tools for Improve audio and video in real time And manipulating tracks is becoming increasingly accessible. Notice if the intonation is too flat, if there is out-of-place breaths Or if lips and voice don't quite match. Audio often reveals what the image hides.
Deepfakes: what they are and what we can detect today
A deepfake is a video in which a person's face, body parts, or voice are digitally altered to make them appear as if they are someone else. With current tools, cloning human voices is feasible, and the results are improving rapidly, which raises questions. risks of impersonation and fraud.
Currently, there is no public tool capable of detecting with reliability All deepfakes of video or image. Although there are services that promise high accuracy, there are no absolute guarantees And the most advanced models continue to elude many detectors.
Note: in the realm of text, things are different. There are AI-generated content detectors that boast very high figures. For example, Winston AI claims a 99,98% accuracy in the detection of generated text. It is useful for articles, but it does not replace audiovisual verification.
Services and promises: AI-powered video detectors
Some platforms offer free or online AI-powered video detectors with advanced analysis. According to their own descriptions, these systems examine multiple layers of data to detect synthetic content, manipulated footage, and artifacts generatedThey are a useful tool for content moderators, journalists, and fact-checking teams.
Typical advertised benefits: comprehensive content analysis, review of visual consistency and movement patterns, search for signatures in metadata and generate authenticity reports in minutes. The promise is near real-time results with good accuracy.
How an online video detector works (according to its own methodology)
The usual workflow is generally very simple and suitable for non-technical users, although it's always advisable to interpret the results with caution: the tools work well as preliminary filternot as the final judge.
- Upload your video or paste a URL. From there, the system prepares the frames and extracts signals.
- The engine analyzes several key parameters:
- Visual consistency between frames
- Subject and camera movement patterns
- Presence of digital artifacts or seams
- Metadata signatures and anomalies
- You receive a report with a authenticity indexexplanation of signals and, where applicable, tampering alerts.
- In doubtful cases, an analysis is activated. frame by frame more details.
These platforms claim to process data in real time or near real time, returning results instantly and maintaining high accuracy thanks to their detection algorithmsEven so, it is prudent to cross-reference their verdict with further checks.
Who needs an AI-generated video detector?
This type of service is especially useful when large volumes need to be filtered or when reputation depends on not publishing. fake contentIt is usually geared towards:
- Media organizations that publish and verify daily.
- Content verification teams and fact-checking units.
- Moderators of social networks and community platforms.
- Digital forensics and audiovisual evidence analysts.
- Online communities that combat misinformation.
A note of realism: there is no perfect detector
While some tools claim high success rates, the overall picture indicates that There is no 100% reliable public detector For video today. Generative models are constantly improving, so it's best to use detectors as a support tool and never as absolute truth.
The best strategy combines critical thinking, visual and audio analysis, contrasting sources, and, if appropriate, use of detectors to obtain additional clues. The sum of the evidence is worth more than a single automated verdict.
Try it out in practice: TheDetector and browser extensions
There are web utilities designed for everyday users. One of them, TheDetector, allows you to upload images (JPG, PNG, WebP) or paste a direct url It tells you whether they could be deepfakes or AI-generated. The process is simple: you choose Image Detection or Video Detection and provide the material or the link.
According to its description, it identifies subtle patterns and digital artifacts which often go unnoticed. As with these services, keep in mind that by uploading content you may be granting usage rights to the platform, something also common on social networks and similar applications.
Additionally, there are free browser extensions that act as a radar for synthetic content while you browse. For example, an AI Detect extension for Chrome can flag fake images and videos in real time on social networks, media or online stores: you hover your mouse over it and see if the system suspects it was generated by AI.
Can ChatGPT analyze videos?
If you're interested in uploading a video file or pasting a link for an AI to thoroughly examine within ChatGPT, as of today it is not a guaranteed flow For the average user. In public tests with links and direct uploads, it doesn't always work as one would expect.
If you need AI help to understand a video, it's more practical to use alternatives like Google. Gemini or Perplexity AI. In particular, Gemini connected to YouTube You can obtain the transcript and analyze the content from there, which already provides useful context for verification.
Risks and why it matters to know how to detect them
AI-generated videos are not inherently dangerous, but they can become so depending on how they are used. With social media amplifying messages and AI fabricating details with apparent certainty, the conditions are ripe for such threats. disinformation It is obvious.
Even more worrying is the fraud. Signatures of ciberseguridad They warn that the deepfake business could surpass 5.000 million In just a few years, this has been driven by scams and impersonation. At the same time, studies show that a large percentage of users cannot distinguish whether a video has been modified or generated with AI, which increases their vulnerability to deception.
Some typical scam patterns include videos that urge you to make immediate payments, download apps from dubious sources, or register on unknown websites. If you see calls to action like these, instantly distrustVerify identity and seek coverage in reliable media.
AI will continue to improve, and what we detect with relative ease today may become imperceptible tomorrow without specialized tools. That's why it's important to internalize verification habits: comparing sources, analyzing visual details, and question the unbelievableespecially when it has an emotional impact or fits too well with our biases.
It's wise to proceed with caution when it comes to information: no detector can replace critical judgment, but together they can give you a significant advantage. If you notice signs of manipulation, if the story seems too good to be true, or if the quality doesn't add up, stop, check, and consult reliable sources before sharing. verification pause It is, currently, the best defense against AI-generated videos.
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