Facts About Fiction | Thought those robot videos are real? Here’s how you can identify CGI videos

Videos can be digitally altered using CGI or Computer Generated Imagery, which is the process of creating still or animated visual content with computer software. Here’s how to identify such videos.

A visitor uses a phone in front of humanoid robots developed by EXRobots at the Beijing World Robot Conference. (Reuters)

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Recently, a few videos showing the flawless abilities of the robots were widely shared on social media platforms. In one of the videos, a robot was seen playing table tennis and beating a human at the game.

Will humans ever beat robots? And it's only the beginning 😳.

Man vs robot live video👇

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— Oluomo mko (@OluomoMko) July 26, 2023

Another video claimed that a robot was sent from the UK to meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

While many believed these videos to be real, they were actually digitally altered. Such videos are usually generated using Computer Generated Imagery (CGI).

CGI creates still or animated visual content with various computer software. It can be used to create both three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) effects.

Here’s how you can identify CGI videos:

1. Observe the video

The mistakes that we often ignore at first glance become the things that we should really focus upon when we look at such videos. If you take the first video for example, and observe it carefully, you will see that the feet of the robot blend with the floor. This is a clear giveaway that the viral video is digitally altered. Such videos, if edited poorly, are also blurry.

2. Look at the background carefully

It is important to carefully look at the background. These videos are not flawless and there would be at least one visual clue hiding in the background. In the second video of the robot meeting the Ukraine President, if the robot and its movements are observed carefully, a blurred background can be seen.

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3. Check the light and the shadows

The shadows of the objects reveal a lot of things. The problem with shadow renders is that it is an actual layer that you have to blend with reality and it is tough. It is very easy to spot a fake video based on the location of the sun and the position of the shadow that it creates. In CGI videos, if poorly edited, there are two extremes — either the shadow is dark or there is no shadow at all.

4. Observe the motion

Getting the motion of the object correct in CGI can be difficult. The moment an object that is supposed to be stationary is seen moving around, there is a part that comes into picture, which is momentum and inertia. For example, if one body part moves the others move along with it, that is if humans lift their hands, the shoulders move too, and the entire body feels the jerk or the movement. This is not necessarily the case with the objects shown in such videos.

5. Check actions of the robot

If the video is of a robot, check for its actions. For example, robot’s ability to move one joint at a time gives them away. They have slow motions, they don’t blink like humans. There are a lot of things robots cannot do like humans. And hence, if the movements are flawless, they are jumping like humans, the video is definitely altered.

6. Use reverse image search

Take the screenshots of the video and run a reverse image search using Google or Yandex. Check if the video is available elsewhere. Check the results, you might find the original video on the first attempt. People who make CGI videos often share it in the caption of their posts and hence finding the source is important.

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Any video that does not clarify your doubts should not be trusted as original and not shared before verification.

Ankita Deshkar

Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read More