Deepfakes: How to Evaluate What’s R.E.A.L.

In today’s digital world, it's becoming harder for students —and all of us— to tell what’s real and what’s not.

Deepfakes are images, videos, or recordings that have been convincingly altered and manipulated to show someone doing or saying something that was not actually done or said.

aiEDU’s R.E.A.L. Approach empowers students to think critically and act thoughtfully in the face of misinformation and disinformation. It's not just about spotting deepfakes — it's about cultivating habits of inquiry, reflection and responsibility in a rapidly changing world.

To build AI literacy and readiness, we must cultivate critical thinking amongst educators and students in examining AI use and outputs. Building these skills not only strengthens media literacy but also helps protect trust and truth in our digital spaces.

The R.E.A.L. Approach offers a straightforward, classroom-ready strategy for evaluating deepfakes and synthetic media. When students learn to pause and ask, "Is this R.E.A.L.?", they aren’t just protecting themselves; they’re helping protect the integrity of our shared digital spaces. One moment of reflection can make all the difference.

So before reacting or sharing any media, pause and ask: Is it R.E.A.L.? If a piece of content doesn’t hold up across all four areas, it deserves a second look—or maybe no share at all.

***

The R.E.A.L. Approach

R — Reliability
Ask: Where did this content come from? Can I trust the source?
🔍 Deepfake Footprints: Authentic images often come from verified sources like Getty Images or major news outlets. Lack of clear attribution is a red flag.

E — Evidence
Ask: Does anything look or sound unnatural?
🔍 Deepfake Footprints: Watch for flickering backgrounds, mismatched lip movements, or distorted faces. Encourage students to slow down and look closely.

A — Agenda
Ask: Who created this, and why?
🔍 Deepfake Footprints: A video showing a celebrity endorsing a political candidate might seem real—but if they never said those words, the goal may be to mislead or manipulate.

L — Logic
Ask: Does this make sense based on what I know?
🔍 Deepfake Footprints: If you see a giant animal walking through a city, pause. Ask: “Could this actually happen?” If it defies nature or common sense, it’s likely fabricated.