Australians turn to online quizzes as AI art floods framing shops
The volume of global searches for 'deepfake content' rose by 351% in August 2025, with more Australians seeking ways to distinguish between real and AI-generated imagery, according to image framing specialists Frameshop.
The company reports a significant increase in the amount of AI-generated artwork appearing in its Sydney shop, as AI image creation tools gain traction across social media, online platforms, and retail environments. Concurrently, Australian searches for 'AI Checker' jumped by 126% over the same period.
Deepfake sites in focus
The study undertaken by Frameshop highlights three platforms – Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and Synthesia – as the most commonly used sources for AI-generated images among Australians, based on returning customer data.
Frameshop has introduced an interactive online quiz designed to test user ability to discern between genuine photographs and those created with AI. The initiative comes in response to the notable rise in uncanny, digitally generated art being presented for framing or display.
Effects on industry and consumers
Frameshop expert Mohamad Hannaway commented on the evolving landscape of image production, stating:
"We're seeing everything from surreal landscapes to photorealistic portraits come through our doors, many of which were created with just a few typed prompts."
He emphasised both the progress and the potential pitfalls of current AI image technologies. "It's impressive, but it's also a bit uncanny. That's why we decided to turn this trend into a fun, thought-provoking moment into a game and allow Aussies to test how AI-savvy they truly are."
Hannaway added, "Whilst the AI-generated imagery is improving rapidly day by day, there are still quite a few artefacts or 'rough patches' which may not be noticeable on a small phone screen. However, when printing and displaying the artwork in large formats, you're putting a magnifying glass on all these finer details so they can detract significantly from the imagery."
Quiz challenges public perceptions
The new Frameshop online game provides a selection of photographic images, some genuine and others produced by AI, and asks users to determine which are real. The exercise aims both to raise awareness of AI's growing presence and to help users develop more critical observation skills.
Explaining how to improve one's ability to differentiate AI from authentic photos, Hannaway shared a set of tips for spotting tell-tale signs:
"First, check for reflections, AI often struggles with realistic mirrored surfaces. Second, look closely at hands and eyes; they're common areas where AI gets anatomy wrong. And third, examine lighting consistency, shadows or highlights that don't match the scene are a big giveaway."
Growing prevalence of AI art
The expanding accessibility and capability of AI art generators such as Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and Synthesia are cited as key drivers for the surge in AI-created visuals. The effects are being directly felt in retail and professional print spaces, with Frameshop observing a "record number" of customers presenting AI-generated images in 2025, many of which are indistinguishable from photographs at first glance.
The Frameshop initiative seeks to help both consumers and industry professionals adjust to a landscape where digital and real imagery frequently blend, complicating traditional visual verification methods. Industry observers are monitoring whether the increased sophistication of AI imagery will outpace the public's ability to reliably spot the differences.
Frameshop's approach, which incorporates data on search behaviour and usage patterns, reflects growing concerns around the authenticity of digital content in both online and offline contexts. As the use and impact of AI-generated content continues to rise, both in Australia and globally, the need for practical education and public awareness is expected to become more pronounced.
