How To Prove You're Not AI

How To Prove You're Not AI

From Close All Tabs by KQED

June 10, 2026 · 36 min

About this episode

Thomas Germain discusses the challenges of distinguishing real people from AI-generated content in today's digital landscape.

During a recent phone call, BBC tech columnist Thomas Germain couldn’t convince his aunt that he wasn’t AI. Being unable to distinguish a real person from a fabricated version is a problem born from the sheer volume of AI-generated content flooding the internet — and one that’s increased dramatically in the last year alone. Even world leaders are now plagued by the issue: a glitchy video of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked an enduring conspiracy theory that he was really dead and his public appearances on social media were an AI-driven cover up. In a world where everything looks fake, how do we know what’s real? Thomas joins the show to explain how we got here, where we might be headed, and a surprisingly analog technique that could save you from getting scammed by a deepfaked version of a loved one. Guest: Thomas Germain, co-host of the podcast The Interface, and tech columnist at the BBC. Further Reading/Listening: I tried to prove I'm not AI. My aunt wasn't convinced — Thomas Germain, BBC The Interface Podcast — BBC Benjamin Netanyahu is struggling to prove he’s not an AI clone — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge Cascade of A.I. Fakes About War With Iran Causes Chaos…

People in this episode

Guest: Thomas Germain

Topics covered

  • AI
  • deepfakes
  • trust
  • technology
  • media
  • society

Keywords

  • AI
  • deepfake
  • trust
  • media
  • technology
  • scams
  • content

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC, The Interface, The Verge, The New York Times, NBC News, Brennan Center for Justice

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