AI or Real #2 answers

Puzzle from October 11: 5 of 10 photos were AI-generated. 2 players scored 5.0 on average. Photo 1 fooled the most people: only 0% got it right.

  1. A weathered terracotta horse statue displayed on a white platform in a museum setting.

    Photo 1, art

    AI image

    The exceptionally clean background walls and perfectly smooth shelf edges suggest a digitally rendered environment.

    Tell: Background details

  2. A plate of Indonesian fried rice with a fried egg, satay skewers, and crackers.

    Photo 2, food

    Real photo

    The natural, slightly grainy texture of the fried egg's crispy edges and the oily sheen look authentic.

    Tell: Texture and noise

    Photo by Azchael, CC BY 2.0, cropped.

  3. A hand holding a black ceramic mug in front of a blurry espresso machine.

    Photo 3, products

    Real photo

    The crisp, perfectly printed text on the mug and natural skin texture on the fingers show it is real.

    Tell: Text and signs

    Photo by nenadstojkovicart, CC BY 2.0, cropped.

  4. A person with a backpack walks down a wet train platform at night next to a train.

    Photo 4, travel

    AI image

    The digital platform sign displays garbled, nonsensical text instead of readable words.

    Tell: Text and signs

  5. A brindle and white dog lying on its back in a grassy yard under sunlight.

    Photo 5, animals

    AI image

    No clear giveaway here: the natural grass textures and realistic lighting are generated too.

  6. Interior of a modern train station with a massive curved glass and steel roof.

    Photo 6, travel

    Real photo

    The German text on the station signs is perfectly legible and grammatically correct.

    Tell: Text and signs

    Photo by chsyang, PDM 1.0, cropped.

  7. A plate of fried rice topped with a fried egg, satay skewers, and pickled vegetables.

    Photo 7, food

    AI image

    No clear giveaway here: the crispy egg edges and the single rice grains are generated too.

  8. A sunny dirt path through a forest with autumn leaves and a bright sunburst.

    Photo 8, nature

    Real photo

    The sharp, multi-pointed sunstar is a natural optical effect caused by a small camera aperture.

    Tell: Light and shadows

    Photo by Tero Karppinen, CC BY 2.0, cropped.

  9. An ancient painted ceramic jar with a lid on a museum display pedestal.

    Photo 9, art

    AI image

    No clear giveaway here: the natural mineral crust and hand-painted details are generated too.

  10. Black Santa Claus figurines and a silver tinsel tree displayed on a store shelf.

    Photo 10, products

    Real photo

    The Marshalls price tag shows clear, legible barcode lines and text that would be garbled in AI images.

    Tell: Text and signs

    Photo by Phillip Pessar, CC BY 2.0, cropped.

NO. 1TODAY