AI Detectors Are Not the Whole Answer

As synthetic media spreads, everyone is searching for the perfect tool to tell what is real and what is not. It sounds simple: upload an image or video, press “analyze,” and get a clear result. But anyone who works in this space knows it is never that easy.

AI detectors are powerful, but they are also limited. They are trained on specific datasets that reflect only a portion of the real world. When new generative models appear, or when content is resized, compressed, or filtered, the detector’s accuracy can drop sharply. Even leading detectors can misread noise as manipulation or miss subtle fakes completely.

This is not because the technology is weak. It is because AI-generated media changes faster than any single model can adapt. Each system detects patterns in its own way, and many do not explain why something was flagged. That lack of transparency is what makes them black boxes.

For journalists, investigators, or brands that need certainty, a single probability score is not enough. You need a forensic approach that examines metadata, compression traces, lighting consistency, and source credibility together. That kind of cross-layer validation provides real evidence rather than just predictions.

At CertiSight AI, we combine multiple detection systems with forensic analysis to build a full picture of authenticity. Detectors are one piece of the puzzle. The real solution is investigative depth, not blind automation.