Tennessee tourism aims to fight AI fakery
Lost Creek Falls in Sparta, Tennessee on May 24, 2026. (Photo by Jared Kriess for Tennessee Department of Tourism Development)
Only 5% of travelers surveyed by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development could pick out real photos of tourism destinations in a side-by-side test with AI-generated images.
As AI-generated imagery becomes more common and realistic, state tourism officials want travelers to know which photos are real.
On June 17, the department launched what they called an industry-first photo certification program and pledged not to use generative AI in place of its own marketing photography.
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Tennessee Tourism TN Department of Tourism Development Jared Kreiss Amanda Murphy Mark Ezell Subscriber OnlyThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Noah McLane
Noah McLane reports on business for The Daily Memphian. He was born and raised in Tennessee and attended journalism school at Middle Tennessee State University, where his passion for community-focused storytelling began.
Prior to writing for the business section, Noah was the editor-in-chief of his college newspaper, worked on general assignment for the Jackson Hole News & Guide in Jackson, Wyoming, and was most recently the statehouse contractor for The Daily Memphian.
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