Images generated by artificial intelligence (AI) have become a major issue in the media, leaving viewers deceived and wondering what they can truly trust.
15 billion images have been created by AI as of August 2023, according to a study by Everypixel. In 2024, an estimated 34 million images were produced every day.
This influx of artificial images has obscured the difference between fact and fiction, heightening the risk of mistaking an AI generated image for reality.
As humanity develops alongside AI, various indicators of AI in media have been publicized, such as looking for misformed hands or incomprehensible text.
According to Hookline’s 2025 AI in Content Marketing Report, 80 percent of Americans can recognize when a piece of media has been created with the help of artificial intelligence.
Junior Rachel Hyman said, “I can tell when AI is used in media because it usually looks uncannily smooth, has extra limbs or fingers or is clearly modeled after another existing artwork. In AI videos, the movement is fluid, yet very blurry and non-life-like at the same time.”
As AI is set to continue in its development, an extreme distaste towards the tool has developed. This feeling is amplified in certain circles, particularly in creative spaces.
Sophomore Emily Himber said, “In creative media, AI should not be allowed because in order for AI to create art, it needs to copy others’ work. AI ‘making’ the art is dishonest and by definition needs to plagiarize to do so.”
It attempts to replace artists who spend their invaluable time planning and creating pieces. However, their art has soul and feeling– something AI could never replicate,” said Himber.
On the other hand, some individuals have started to fully embrace generative AI.
Junior Dov Brown said, “I personally support AI in creative media because I think it is just a new form of creativity that is just starting to be developed. Instead of personally drawing a picture, you can have AI create something that might turn out even better than you were to have made it.”
Regardless of one’s personal opinion of AI, it is becoming a fundamental part of most Americans’ lives.
The issue of artificial intelligence being used to create artificial images and videos resembles the larger issue of the technology being used to replace humans in their lines of work as well as their abilities to conduct simpler tasks.
“I think that the future of AI is scary and frankly unpredictable. While I am optimistic about the change it can create in our future, it is important to acknowledge the detriments alongside it,” said freshman Hanna Laufer.
AI’s newfound presence in daily life has caused the American public to share this apprehensive sentiment. A recent Pew Research Center poll has determined that 50 to 57 percent of Americans are far more concerned than excited about the future of AI, with another 38 percent saying they are equally as worried as they are excited.
Though at least half of Americans feel this way, the same study showed that the majority of Americans were open to using AI to aid them in day-to-day tasks, such as writing work emails, brainstorming creative ideas or something as simple as creating grocery lists.
Junior Max Lefkowitz said, “AI is an extremely useful tool, which I believe everyone should learn to use efficiently. I use it to help answer basic questions and help find information instead of looking stuff up on Google– it’s quicker and more direct.”
