Newswise – “Generative artificial intelligence can be exploited to generate fraudulent scientific images,” the author of an editorial published in the American Journal of Hematology (AJH) says, “from scratch or by modifying existing visual materials to enhance the realism of the final manufactured product.”
The authors are Enrico M. Butci, a professor of biology at the Subaro Cancer Institute at Temple University’s University of Science and Technology, and Angelo Parini at the University of Toulouse, underscore the growing concerns of science. Titled “The Synthetic Image Crisis in Science,” this paper explains how AI-powered tools are used to create realistic yet completely fake scientific images.
These images are not edited versions of the actual photos, so detection may be avoided. Instead, it is generated from scratch using AI tools. This avoids discovery as it does not include TellTale functionality to distinguish it from the real thing.
“These tools are now available to anyone, regardless of scientific training. If prompted correctly, they can simulate the entire visual device of your research in minutes,” the author says.
Modern AI systems can create fake images based on simple textual descriptions. For example, users can request a Western blot to show a specific protein in the treated cells, and AI produces images that are believed, despite no experiments being performed. You can also use the same tools to make subtle changes to the actual scientific image. These changes include adjusting the color, moving parts of the image, or adding features. These are without any clues left by regular editing tools.
The tools used in image generators have been trained using real scientific images and are now widely available to the public. As a result, peer reviewers and journal editors are beginning to find composite images in submitted research papers.
“It is important that the scientific community and peer review system adapt to this looming faucet threat in scientific data,” says Antonio Giordano, MD, professor at Temple University and founder and director of SBARRO Health Research Orzence (SHRO). “The concerns outlined by Bucci and Parini require updated protocols for documents, transparency, accountability and more that correspond to the new reality of the world with AI.”
The authors warn that images generated by AI could undermine trust in science if not addressed. New methods are needed to detect these images and protect the quality of scientific research.
Fundraising Acknowledgments:
This study was funded by Agence Nationale de la Rechherche (ANR-23-IAHU-0011).
About Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO)
Sbarro Health Research Orgization conducts groundbreaking research into cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the Temple University campus, Shro’s program trains young scientists from all over the world, accelerating the pace of health research and innovation.
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