In today’s digital realm, distinguishing between real and synthetic content is becoming increasingly challenging. With the surge of Generative AI (Gen AI), Himank Tripathi, a seasoned communications expert, views it not just as a technological advancement but also a cultural shift. Understanding how to discern genuine content from artificially generated ones is emerging as a vital skill. Tripathi emphasizes that while AI won’t replace humans entirely, those leveraging AI will outperform others. He points out Gen AI as a major disruptive force in the evolving media landscape, exemplified by virtual personalities like ‘Bloo’. Tripathi’s extensive study of Gen AI media led to the identification of key cues for spotting synthetic content. Visual imperfections, anomalies in facial features, inconsistent visuals, and textual errors are red flags he highlights. Despite advancements, AI struggles with maintaining visual coherence and emotional depth. Tripathi stresses the importance of digital literacy in India, advocating for public awareness to combat AI-driven misinformation and fraud. As AI technology progresses, sharpening one’s ability to differentiate between real and synthetic content becomes paramount.
