The rise in popularity of AI-generated images has enabled the creation of photorealistic images—all without the human hand of a photographer. As these images become increasingly difficult to distinguish from genuine photographs, the credibility of the photographic medium finds itself undermined, raising concerns about the integrity of contemporary events and historical archives—all of which are now susceptible to manipulation. The proliferation of synthetic images pose significant challenges to democracies as citizens struggle to discern reality from fiction, giving autocratic regimes the opportunity to operate with less scrutiny. 

In response to these issues, how do members of the photographic community and society as a whole address this rapidly challenging environment?  Fred Ritchin, a pivotal figure in the worlds of photojournalism and digital imaging, joins PHOTOVERSE to explore the various perspectives and strategies to navigate an increasingly complex world of images generated by artificial intelligence.