When we started That Oregon Life 10 years ago with the intent of celebrating Oregon’s best places, we never would have imagined that 10 years later, Facebook and Instagram pages would be popping up every day with clearly AI-generated images masquerading as real things. Across Oregon and around the world, these images have spread like wildfire, catching the attention of thousands, sometimes millions, of unsuspecting viewers. What began as a platform to showcase Oregon’s true beauty and charm has now entered into a bizarre race against a flood of AI-generated landscapes that are sometimes visually stunning, but often comically absurd and frustratingly misleading.
Photoshopped and doctored images have been around for years and are easy to spot if you pay attention. But this is on another level. AI-generated images are so convincing at first glance that they often fool even the most discerning eye. They're beyond ridiculous. To make matters worse, many of these images are shared and celebrated as if they were real, further blurring the line between what's real and what's artificially created.
For example, take a look at the Facebook page “Ashlynn Small,” which is not limited to Oregon but appears to cover the entire U.S. with an endless supply of AI-generated landscapes. One of the funniest examples is a place called “Tahkenitch Falls.”
As of this writing, the image has garnered over 33,000 reactions on Facebook. The problem? “Tahkenich Falls” doesn't exist. Despite being a completely made-up place, the image has been shared thousands of times, liked, and commented on by people who genuinely believe it's an Oregon hidden gem.
And then there's our beloved Silver Falls State Park, featured on yet another lame Facebook page called “Viral Studio 38.” The problem here isn't just that the image isn't Silver Falls State Park; there's nothing in Oregon that even remotely resembles what's shown here. The AI-generated photo is so far removed from reality that it's almost laughable. Almost, but not quite funny, because it's infuriating to see such blatant misinformation spread so easily.
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“Viral Studio 38” is a self-described “gaming video creator” who seems to post countless images at once. A quick look reveals several images posted just five hours ago, one of which is Crater Lake. But even this iconic Oregon landmark can't escape the unnatural manipulations of AI. In one of these images, Wizard Island is awkwardly centered, ruining the natural beauty of the landscape. Even more hilarious is the fact that seagulls appear to be flying over the AI-generated photo. Strange, I mean, possible, I've been to Crater Lake many times and I've never personally seen a seagull. Still, the image continues to go viral, garnering likes and shares.
To its credit, the page does have a URL: https://www.facebook.com/AI.images38, which makes it clear that AI is involved. But would anyone actually notice? Facebook didn't go to the trouble of announcing in the post that the images were generated by AI.
And if those weren't bad enough, how about the twisted, nature-defying rainbow that appeared from majestic Mount Hood? Yes, that's right. A rainbow that appears from one of Oregon's most iconic mountains somehow twists in a way that is physically impossible. It's as if the AI has added a little fantasy to see how far it can push the limits of believability. Spoiler alert: it goes too far. The only thing missing is a leprechaun and a pot of gold at the end of this absurd rainbow, because there's no reason not to. If you enjoy AI-generated fairy tales, you might as well follow it to the end.
As we move towards the future, the problems facing AI become increasingly clear. The technology was released to the public virtually overnight, causing chaos few people expected. What is the solution? AI has opened Pandora's box, and now we are grappling with the consequences. In a world where AI can generate lifelike images, how do we tell the real from the fake?
“The problem is exacerbated by the countless comments these posts receive, with many people convinced the images are real. It's a testament to the power of AI and the trust people have in what they see on social media. But it's also a worrying sign of how easily misinformation can spread when anyone with a computer and an internet connection has the tools to create it.
Sure, this is hilarious, but it's also incredibly infuriating. It's frustrating to see the true beauty of Oregon, a place I've spent years celebrating and promoting, being overshadowed by these fabricated images, and it's especially infuriating to see people being tricked into believing these AI creations are real, when they're being shared on a platform that aims to highlight the authentic charm of the Pacific Northwest.
The rise of AI-generated images has brought us laughs and absurdities, but at the same time, it also reminds us of the challenges we face as we navigate this new digital environment. Let's continue to celebrate Oregon's true beauty, but also be mindful of spotting the fakes and educating others on how to spot them. After all, nothing beats the real thing, and AI can't recreate the true spirit of Oregon. That said, at That Oregon Life, we are committed to bringing you the real thing, as there is no shortage of photos taken by real photographers.
So, for those of you who love real photos, here is a photo of a real rainbow captured in a great moment on Mount Hood, posted on Facebook by our good friend Gary Randall. Be sure to give him a like on Facebook!
