How a New Tool By MIT Researchers Counters AI Image Manipulation Threats

Multiple exposure portrait by Eugenio Marongiu / Getty Images

Lifewire
It's getting harder to tell when photos are manipulated by artificial intelligence (AI), but help is on the way.

MIT CSAIL researchers recently developed "PhotoGuard," a new AI tool designed to counter unauthorized image manipulation by models such as DALL-E and Midjourney. Experts say such methods are increasingly necessary.

"The ability to prevent these types of manipulations represents an extremely important component in the battle against mis- and disinformation where image manipulation is commonly used to reinforce false narratives and make them more believable," Jason Davis, a Syracuse University professor whose research focuses on the detection of misinformation and disinformation using AI tools, told Lifewire in an email interview.

"Preventing image manipulation is also an important line of defense when it comes to protecting brands and reputations at the corporate level or preventing personal harassment and cyberbullying at the individual level." MORE