A Beautiful Image Still Needs a Source Note

A polished AI-generated image can make a possibility easier to discuss—but it cannot, by itself, show that the scene ever happened.

Imagine a team using one in a concept deck. A brief note that says “AI-generated; concept illustration” gives the image a clear job. If its source materials or edits are known, record those too; if they aren’t, don’t guess. The distinction helps people explore what the image suggests without mistaking it for documentation.

That small bit of context can change the room’s question from “Is this real?” to “What are we using it to explore?” The image opens a door; its provenance tells us which room we’ve entered.