Unmasking the Storm: How AI and Editing Tools Challenge the Authenticity of Severe Weather Photos | CBC News

When severe storms roll in, people often grab their phones to snap photos or record videos. In Canada, storm chasers and organizations like Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) depend on these public reports to help track bad weather.

But recently, some folks have started faking these reports. They use photo editing tools or AI to alter images. Some even lie about when and where a photo was taken. “We rely on public reports, especially for thunderstorms and heavy snow,” said Crawford Luke, a meteorologist with ECCC. “When we issue warnings based on false reports, it turns into a false alarm.”

One example Luke shared was about a tornado photo. The picture was real but from Texas, not Ontario, and was presented deceptively as if it had just occurred in Canada. ECCC had to trace it back to a Texas newspaper before confirming its origin.

### Trust Issues

Jenny Hagan, a storm chaser and weather expert, noted that these fake reports threaten the credibility of genuine storm tracking. “When people go to the effort of fabricating content, it undermines the hard work of real storm chasers,” she explained. Storm chasers like Hagan have spent years honing their skills, and fake reports can complicate public understanding of storm safety.

Social media doesn’t help. Hagan sees fake images and misleading content several times a week. Once, an edited image of a tornado confused many, as people mistakenly thought it showed six tornadoes touching down simultaneously.

While Hagan admits AI can help new storm chasers understand weather models, it also leads to the spread of false information. To spot fake images, she suggests looking for unusual colors or clouds that seem unrealistic.

### Eroding Public Trust

With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, accurate weather reports are crucial. Manjula Selvarajah, a technology columnist, emphasized the need for reliable information, saying, “People’s lives and properties depend on it.”

One way to check a photo’s credibility is by examining the metadata, which shows when and where it was taken. However, even this data can be altered, making it tricky to trust visuals. “We might reach a point where we can’t tell what’s real,” Selvarajah warned.

As the technology for modifying images gets easier, discerning truth from fiction will become increasingly challenging. This shift might cost us a valuable way to share stories and information accurately.

In this landscape of fake content, the importance of critical thinking can’t be overstated. Each of us must become more discerning consumers of information, particularly when our safety is at stake.



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