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Year 6

Recognising fake and AI generated images

I can explain why there are many fake and AI generated images online and identify ways to recognise them.

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Year 6

Recognising fake and AI generated images

I can explain why there are many fake and AI generated images online and identify ways to recognise them.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Humans can use artificial intelligence (AI) to generate realistic images and videos.
  2. AI generated images and videos are common online.
  3. It is very difficult to identify fake images and videos.
  4. People use fake images and videos for many different purposes.
  5. Sometimes fake images are used to trick us.

Keywords

  • Generate - to create or make something

  • Realistic - in this context, a picture or image that looks like a real photo

  • Artificial intelligence (AI) - computer programs that can learn and think in a way similar to humans

  • Identify - to spot or recognise something

Common misconception

We can identify AI generated images if we look closely.

Although it is currently difficult to identify an AI image, it will become increasingly hard and eventually will be impossible. Young people, who have less knowledge and experience, will find it even harder to tell real from fake.


To help you plan your year 6 rshe (pshe) lesson on: Recognising fake and AI generated images, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Try demonstrating how easy it is to fake an image by exploring an AI image generator online and creating pictures using inputs from the students. Check the software for appropriate pop-ups or adverts beforehand.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
An __________ is designed to sell something to you.
app
influencer
Correct answer: advert
Q2.
Match the words to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:motivation,the reason why someone does something
tick

the reason why someone does something

Correct Answer:post,to put something online, such as a video, image or text
tick

to put something online, such as a video, image or text

Correct Answer:bias,a feeling that influences how you respond to a situation or person
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a feeling that influences how you respond to a situation or person

Q3.
Which of these statements are true?
Correct answer: Everyone is biased in some way.
We always know if we are biased.
Correct answer: People can show bias online, especially if they will earn money from it.
Everyone who posts online is motivated by the same thing.
Q4.
Someone who is biased positively or negatively without realising it is experiencing bias.
Correct Answer: unconscious
Q5.
What is social media?
A network connecting digital devices across the world
Correct answer: Websites and apps used to share words and images with other people
An image or video created to tempt you to click on it
A word or picture that takes you to a new place if you click or tap it
Q6.
Some people use the internet to spread harmful attitudes against and this is called misogyny.
Correct Answer: women, girls, women and girls, females

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:generate,to create or make something
tick

to create or make something

Correct Answer:artificial intelligence (AI),computer programs that can learn and think in a way similar to humans
tick

computer programs that can learn and think in a way similar to humans

Correct Answer:identify,to spot or recognise something
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to spot or recognise something

Correct Answer:realistic,in this context, a picture or image that looks like a real photo
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in this context, a picture or image that looks like a real photo

Q2.
True or false? Videos and images need to be real in order to be uploaded to the internet.
true
Correct answer: false
Q3.
Which statements are true?
It is easy to identify AI generated images if we look closely.
Correct answer: We can identify AI images by asking if they seem like they could be real.
AI images are used frequently by trusted websites.
Correct answer: We can ask trusted adults for help to identify AI images.
Q4.
Which are reasons that somebody could use a fake image?
Correct answer: to pretend to be somebody else
to spread accurate information
Correct answer: to steal information
Correct answer: to promote a company or product
Q5.
True or false? It is difficult to identify AI generated even if we look closely.
Correct answer: true
false
Q6.
People can use a fake image to push a that they believe in, for example, about the environment or politics.
Correct Answer: message, belief, cause, idea, theory