Wall blown over by Storm Boelo in Whitby sparks AI images debate

Prof Theocharis Kyriacou, an expert on AI at York St John University, said he could understand some viewers’ scepticism, but urged caution, particularly as “real people” had been affected by the incident.

“Some of the rocks appear to have fallen into rather neat or unusual arrangements, which might seem surprising,” he added.

“However, we should remember that most of us have probably never witnessed this particular type of structural collapse before.

“Something looking unusual or unexpected does not necessarily make it artificial.”

Photos from different sources, independent footage and eyewitness accounts were “more meaningful than individual impressions of what looks real or fake”, Kyriacou explained.

He said the photographs from Whitby illustrated a “wider issue” as trust in visual evidence was “eroded”.

“For generations, photographs have been regarded as relatively reliable representations of reality,” he said.

“Now, because of the misuse of generative AI, even genuine photographs, are increasingly being questioned. That is a rather sad consequence of what is otherwise a remarkable technological achievement.”