Real or AI — October 2, 2026

Five pairs. In each pair one photograph is real and one was generated. Hints below; answers are folded away so you can play first.

Play today’s challenge

Today’s hints and answers

Round 1 · street · difficulty 1/3

Read the reflections on the wet road, and any text on signs.

Show answer
real photograph
REAL — on the right
ai generated image
AI — on the left

Real photo: “(2005) RaiNY (5691664789).jpg” — Diego Torres Silvestre from Sao Paulo, Brazil, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Round 2 · landscape · difficulty 2/3

Look at how the water meets the light — reflections are where generators slip.

Show answer
real photograph
REAL — on the left
ai generated image
AI — on the right

Real photo: “Jokulsarlon lake, Iceland.jpg” — Kenny Muir, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Round 3 · architecture · difficulty 1/3

Scan the window grid — repeating patterns are a classic tell.

Show answer
real photograph
REAL — on the right
ai generated image
AI — on the left

Real photo: “Bonn, Post-Tower -- 2017 -- 2136.jpg” — Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Round 4 · dog · difficulty 2/3

Watch the legs and how the grass behaves around them.

Show answer
real photograph
REAL — on the left
ai generated image
AI — on the right

Real photo: “Dummy Training (10579889014).jpg” — Dirk Vorderstraße, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Round 5 · cat · difficulty 2/3

Count the toes and study the fur where it blends into the background.

Show answer
real photograph
REAL — on the left
ai generated image
AI — on the right

Real photo: “Cat napping by the window (Unsplash).jpg” — Yanko Peyankov peyankov, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

How to spot an AI-generated photo →

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