There is one strange way to spot the difference between a real human image and an AI-generated one. Though soon none of us will be able to tell the difference. We were originally told that AI will do jobs that humans no longer want to do, yet we are now seeing AI challenge the livelihoods of writers, musicians, artists, and models. This brings many questions and challenges regarding the state of the arts and our society today.

Spotting a Fake: It's in our hands... or is it? For some reason AI text-to-image generators have been having trouble deciphering what a human hand looks like. Possibly it's because our hands are flexible, capable of forming many shapes, and also very expressive of our mood and emotions. If you look closely at the hands of an AI-generated human image you will notice that something is not right.

Meet Milla Sofia:

"Welcome to my virtual realm! I am not your ordinary influencer; I am a 24 year old woman residing in Finland, but here's the twist—I'm an AI-generated virtual influencer. As a fashion model, I bring an unparalleled and futuristic perspective to the realm of style." -Milla Sofia, Photos and "About Me" Quote Taken from her Website

Where does this leave the careers of fashion models, their photographers and lighting crews? How does this affect dating websites? How might the technology of deep fakes be used to scam people online? Is this the cutting edge of art, advertising, and fashion or a soul-less expression of composite images taken from hundreds of REAL humans? These questions and more are rich for conversation, reflection, and exploration.

These emerging technologies aren't inherently good or bad. It's like fire that can be used to warm your food and your home. It can give you light but it can also burn down your whole town.

Above: A real human child with real human hands and a real human heart. Photo by Merrick Chase of The Humans Being Project

The more that the warmth of human interaction is being replaced by social media and technology how will this influence our relationship with all aspects of the natural world?

Sitting Around the Council Fire: This is why a curated social media community as well as vibrant, local in-person networks are more important than ever. Being connected through a love for the human experience in a world of deep-fakes, and a desire to heal our planet's natural ecosystems will be essential in the days to come. Shared visions and authentic human expression are not easily imitated and perhaps AI is propelling us to delve deeper into what it means to be human.

Re-Humanize: With artists like Photographer, Merrick Chase, of the Humans Being Project joining the PORTL platform we have an opportunity to see the diverse cultures of the world through his lense. Filmmakers like Marcos Rios Bollinger and the Hidden Heroes Series give us valuable tips on how to travel the real world and make positive impact. Permaculturalists like Andrew Millison share their wisdom on healing watersheds, planting local gardens and regenerating ecosystems. All of these individuals will become more important as the line between reality, depp-fakes, and AI fantasy become blurred.

Come learn about how Captain Paul Watson is saving the whales and protecting our oceans. Listen to revolutionary speakers like Vandana Shiva who is protecting heirloom seeds and fighting against GMO/pesticide-driven agriculture. Join a globally synchronized meditation to increase global coherence with UNIFY. Learn how artists and content-creators are responding to these times of great change in the world of art, culture and human expression in the digital landscape.

Slight of Hand: The magic of our time is that emerging technologies can be as beautiful as they are destructive. The evolutionary curve will favor those who have the ability to discern. The stakes are higher than ever before when it comes to being conscious and having a clear intention with the art/media we create and consume.

It won't be too long before AI perfects mimicking human hands and we may not be able to tell the difference visually. Perhaps our only choice when that day comes is to hone our intuition and start listening to our heart. Recent studies now prove that there is a powerful almost psychic intelligence within our heart and emotional-body.

We possess an intelligence in our soul that will never be replicated by technology but if we do not learn to connect with it we may become prey to technology gone rogue. Perhaps one day we will thank AI and avatars like Milla Sofia for helping us all to come back to ourselves. Until then, Keep it Real.