Photocert and STFC Hartree Centre join forces to combat generative AI media fraud

The Science and Technology Facilities Counci’s (STFC) Hartree Centre and Photocert have joined forces to address the growing challenges posed by generative artificial intelligence (AI) image manipulation, one of today’s most pressing digital threats.

The collaboration comes at a time of heightened concern around synthetic media, as generative AI tools become increasingly capable of producing highly convincing fake content, blurring the line between real and fake, and increasing the risk of AI-driven fraud.

For industries that depend on automated systems to verify images and documents, the risk of AI-assisted fraud is growing fast.

Safeguarding critical industries

Bringing together Photocert’s expertise in generative AI and the Hartree Centre’s applied research in computer vision and AI, this project aims to develop an advanced AI image authentication solution to help businesses fight digital fraud.

At its core is Photocert’s proprietary AI technology, which performs a series of sophisticated tests to verify the authenticity of images and documents.

This enables greater process automation and fraud prevention across multiple sectors, including insurance, fintech, asset finance and logistics.

Fighting emerging threats

Pasquale Saviano, CEO & Co-Founder at Photocert, said: “At Photocert, we’ve always believed that trust in digital media is essential for automation and fraud prevention.

“Together, we’re building the next generation of media authentication tools that industries urgently need to stay ahead of evolving threats.”

Authenticity through innovation Working with the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation (HNCDI), the project will develop an end-to-end AI image detector.

Using advanced deep learning techniques, the solution will be adaptable to a variety of image types and will remain adaptable to future client needs.

Protecting digital trust

STFC’s Kate Royse, Hartree Centre Director, said: “This partnership brings together some of the most advanced minds in AI and digital authentication to build the defences our society and industries urgently need.

“Our work with Photocert exemplifies the Hartree Centre’s mission to help UK industry explore digital technologies and create real-world impact.

“By tackling the global deepfake problem head-on, we’re helping to preserve trust in digital systems across society.”

Empowering future-ready industry

The HNCDI is a £210 million, five-year collaboration between the STFC’s Hartree Centre, at Sci-Tech Daresbury in the Liverpool City Region, and IBM Research. It sets out to enable businesses to adopt the skills and necessary digital technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, to overcome their industrial challenges.