FAKE AI - GENERATED IMAGES ARE MORE CONVINCING THAN EVER . ARE COURTS AND POLICE READY TO COMBAT THEM ?

What happened: A Santa Ana police alert about a venomous snake photo was traced to a fake AI-generated image, one of several recent AI image incidents involving schools and courts. Key numbers: The hoax was confirmed fake on Sept. 29. California's AI Transparency Act took effect Aug. 2. Google announced an expanded SynthID detector Oct. 7. Social media disclosure rules arrive next year, device rules in 2028. Why it matters: Police and courts say they still rely mainly on traditional verification methods, and experts warn detection tools may lose ground as generation technology improves.

A Santa Ana police alert about a venomous snake photo was traced to a fake AI-generated image, one of several recent AI image incidents involving schools and courts.

Police and courts say they still rely mainly on traditional verification methods, and experts warn detection tools may lose ground as generation technology improves.