It’s getting harder and harder to discern whether what you’re watching on social media feeds is real, or generated by Artificial Intelligence.

As AI programs get more sophisticated, the proliferation of images and video purporting to show real events is getting more pervasive.

That, says local tech blogger Kevin Andrews, is eroding public confidence, and in turn is leading to greater apathy and desensitization.

He says because anyone can have access to AI to manipulate photos, there are misleading weather photos showing up on social media. That includes real photos that are being manipulated to make them appear more dramatic, or pictures of events that never happened.

“Fabrication and exaggeration really blur the line between what’s real and what’s made up, which really undermines the trust of all the weather reports.”

Andrews says that’s particularly concerning especially when public alerts regarding major disasters or weather events are issued.

“Reported exposure to false alarms can really make (the) public tune out when warnings are genuine. In emergencies, that hesitation can put lives and property at risk.” He says in these cases, false images can cost lives.