Can You Spot AI-Generated Art? The Blurring Lines of Reality
In a world saturated with rapidly advancing technology, the lines between reality and simulation are becoming increasingly blurred. This is especially true in the realm of art and artificial intelligence. But how can we, as viewers, determine what’s real and what’s the product of a machine?
Just a year ago, identifying AI-generated images relied on spotting common flaws, such as problems with hands or teeth. However, AI applications quickly evolved, fixing these very issues and making detection significantly harder.
The Rapid Evolution of AI Image Generation
Griffin Smith, an art and artificial intelligence instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), highlights the incredible speed of AI’s progress. What once took 30-45 minutes to generate an image now takes mere seconds, with dramatic improvements in quality.
“When I first pitched my class to RISD, I said, it’s going to be so great because the technology is so advanced,” Smith explains. “If we put in a prompt, it only takes like 30 or 45 minutes to get an image back. Just four years later, the time it takes to generate an image [is] 3 or 4 seconds and the quality has advanced dramatically.”
The Importance of Media Literacy
As the sophistication of AI art grows and with it its potential for misuse, media literacy becomes crucial. The ability to evaluate the source and context of an image and corroborate information with other sources is vital.
“I think what we have to do is stay literate about why might you be shown an AI image?” Smith suggests. “Are they trying to trick you? But if you see something very upsetting, something that you feel like was current events and you’re not sure, that’s when you need to try and corroborate it.”
Is It Cake? Delving into the World of Hyperrealism
Now, let’s shift gears to the fascinating world of hyper-realistic cakes, where the question “is it cake?” takes on a new dimension.
Oakleaf Cakes in Boston is a bakery known for producing extraordinary, hyper-realistic creations that defy expectations. These culinary masterpieces can mimic anything from everyday food items to 3D versions of one’s favorite pet or even a pair of sneakers. Co-owners Julie Lyon and Mike Whelan have built a successful business, with their work drawing inspiration from the popular Netflix show, Is It Cake?
“We pretty much take on any challenge that someone gives us, whether it’s an airplane or a giaint pair of sneakers,” says Lyon. “If you have an idea, we can probably do it.”
The Art and Engineering of Cake
The creation of these cakes requires a diverse set of skills from baking and artistry to engineering. Some cakes need structural components like steel rods and screws, requiring careful planning and construction. Lyon states, “I feel like we built our knowledge and skills with each cake that we do.”
Olivia, one of the bakers, learned to bake on the job and brings an artistic background to her creations. “Each one I do is a challenge,” she remarks. The process typically begins with finding a photo of the object being replicated, focusing on the color and texture. The cakes often take up to two days to perfect. Lyon and Whelan often hear, “It’s just amazing,” from customers who find it hard to believe that they are actually cakes.
Navigating the Digital Landscape
Whether it’s AI-generated art or hyperrealistic cakes, the underlying theme remains: understanding the source, questioning what we see, and continually honing our ability to distinguish between reality and its increasingly sophisticated imitations. Staying informed and practicing digital literacy are key in this ever-evolving landscape.
