Camera Companies Combat AI-Generated Images Using 'Verify' Watermark Technology

Camera companies such as Nikon, Sony, and Canon are implementing new technology to combat the rise of AI-generated images. Nikon plans to embed tamper-resistant digital signatures in its mirrorless cameras, including the date, time, location, and photographer information. The company aims to offer this authentication technology to photojournalists and professional photographers. Several news organizations, camera makers, and technology companies have also developed a web tool called Verify, which allows users to check the authenticity of images for free. If an image has a digital signature, Verify displays the relevant credentials. Sony intends to expand its lineup of compatible camera models and lobby other companies to do the same. It will incorporate digital signatures into its professional-grade mirrorless SLRs through a firmware update. Canon, on the other hand, plans to release a camera with this technology as early as next year.

In addition to verifying the authenticity of images, some companies are exploring ways to identify AI-generated images. Intel, for example, developed a method to analyze skin color changes to determine whether an image is real. Google also released a tool that can add invisible watermarks to AI-generated images.

The increasing prevalence of AI-generated images has made it challenging to determine their authenticity. Earlier this year, a popular AI image detector mislabeled a photo of an infant killed in Hamas’ attack on Israel as being generated by AI, despite its likely authenticity.