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Is it possible to develop a camera that takes pictures in a special format that records an encrypted signature, some kind ledger technology for images? The ide

Is it possible to develop a camera that takes pictures in a special format that records an encrypted signature, some kind ledger technology for images? The idea is authenticity of images could be challenged. If in doubt, the original photographer or source can provide verification - automated or otherwise, that only superficial X, Y, or Z edits have been made such as lighting or contrast changes. Copies of the images would contain this ledger or a link. In the future maybe photos without this technology are never to be trusted as a source, or perhaps disallowed on certain platforms. So it's inverted from "we must detect fake" to "we must detect authenticity." The latter being easier to control. I mean, nice things are under threat. There's no escaping it. If technology got us into this mess, technology can dig us out.

d3vnull 1y ago
What's keeping anyone from using a trustworthy camera to take a trustworthy picture of a screen displaying an AI generated image? And that's the low tech version. Taking a trustworthy camera and plugging the CMOS sensor connector into an LLM that generates its output as RAW data that feeds into the sensor isn't that hard if you want to make extra sure you're not detected. Such a system might even cause more harm than good by giving people the impression that real/AI images can actually be certified.
- exodust 1y ago
  Because it will be a picture of a screen not reality? The hypothetical camera knows the scene it's taking is a flat surface or not, and puts that detail into the signature.
pvdebbe 1y ago
Already developed, and things are slowly taking effect. There's no need for special formats, just to sign the JPEGs and raw files. https://contentauthenticity.org/ https://contentauthenticity.org/
Yizahi 1y ago
I think it's in the works. Hard to say if it will make any impact globally: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Nikon-Sony-and-Canon-fight-AI-fakes-with-new-camera-tech https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Nikon-Sony-and-C...
- exodust 1y ago
  Interesting, thanks for the link. I was more thinking of a way for the camera to analyse the scene independently of the lens, in order to generate an unbreakable signature bond between the image and the sensor data, so that manipulation of the image later breaks that bond. Or something.
DEGoodmanWilson 1y ago
This is, as others have pointed out, trivial to defeat. We should not be seeking engineering solutions to social problems.
- exodust 1y ago
  Is it really a social problem if AI is generating the images and spreading them around with bots? If no humans are involved except to knock the first dominoes over, it's a stretch to call the chain reaction a "social problem".

d3vnull 1y ago

What's keeping anyone from using a trustworthy camera to take a trustworthy picture of a screen displaying an AI generated image? And that's the low tech version. Taking a trustworthy camera and plugging the CMOS sensor connector into an LLM that generates its output as RAW data that feeds into the sensor isn't that hard if you want to make extra sure you're not detected. Such a system might even cause more harm than good by giving people the impression that real/AI images can actually be certified.

exodust 1y ago
Because it will be a picture of a screen not reality? The hypothetical camera knows the scene it's taking is a flat surface or not, and puts that detail into the signature.

pvdebbe 1y ago

Already developed, and things are slowly taking effect. There's no need for special formats, just to sign the JPEGs and raw files. https://contentauthenticity.org/ https://contentauthenticity.org/

Yizahi 1y ago

I think it's in the works. Hard to say if it will make any impact globally: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Nikon-Sony-and-Canon-fight-AI-fakes-with-new-camera-tech https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Nikon-Sony-and-C...

exodust 1y ago
Interesting, thanks for the link. I was more thinking of a way for the camera to analyse the scene independently of the lens, in order to generate an unbreakable signature bond between the image and the sensor data, so that manipulation of the image later breaks that bond. Or something.

DEGoodmanWilson 1y ago

This is, as others have pointed out, trivial to defeat. We should not be seeking engineering solutions to social problems.

exodust 1y ago
Is it really a social problem if AI is generating the images and spreading them around with bots? If no humans are involved except to knock the first dominoes over, it's a stretch to call the chain reaction a "social problem".