Camera firms use watermark technology to fight AI-generated images

The recent goal of camera firms is to combat the growing trend of AI-generated images by incorporating digital signatures into their shots and authenticate technology.

With the inclusion of digital signatures, camera companies are hoping to counteract the growing trend of AI-generated images.

For instance, Nikon intends to begin selling mirrorless cameras with integrated authentication technology to professional photographers and photojournalists. According to Nikkei Asia, the system will incorporate tamper-resistant digital signatures that include the location, time, and date a photo was taken.

A consortium of news outlets, manufacturers of cameras, and technology firms has collaborated to develop Verify, a free online tool for confirming the legitimacy of photos. The website will show the date, location, and further credentials for the image if it has a digital signature.

Sony, Canon, and Nikon are integrating digital signature authentication into their professional-grade mirrorless SLRs, with Sony aiming to increase compatible camera types and Canon introducing such technology.

Some other firms are investigating methods of detecting AI photos in addition to labeling them as actual images. Intel created a method last year to assess if an image was authentic by examining variations in skin tone. Google also unveiled a technology in August that allows users to watermark AI-generated photos invisibly.

The prevalence of AI images in the world makes it more difficult to verify their legitimacy.