Deepfake Expert Siwei Lyu Featured in Popular Science

Siwei Lyu.

Popular Science quoted SUNY Distinguished Professor Siwei Lyu, on how to detect AI-generated videos of animals and the risks of distorting our relationship to nature.

“AI-generated wildlife videos can look convincing, but there are some telltale signs. Watch for unnatural movements… lighting inconsistencies… and blurred or repeated textures. ”
Siwei Lyu, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering | Co-director of the Center for Information Integrity

SUNY Distinguished Professor Siwei Lyu, co-director of UB’s Center for Information Integrity and a leading expert on deepfakes, was recently quoted in Popular Science in an article examining the risks of AI-generated wildlife videos. The piece explores how realistic AI-made clips of animals—often cute, dramatic or surprising—can distort people’s understanding of wildlife and even undermine conservation efforts.

Lyu explains that while these videos can look incredibly realistic, there are still clues that give them away. He points to unnatural or overly smooth movements, lighting and shadow mismatches, and blurred or repetitive textures in fur or feathers as common signs that a clip is AI-generated. His expertise and guidance helps viewers stay cautious as such videos circulate widely on social media. 

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