The Department of Defense has awarded London, U.K.-based smart home device company Hive a contract to prototype a deepfake detection and attribution technology meant to enhance the agency’s ability to combat synthetic media threats.
Under the two-year agreement, Hive will develop a capability to help the DOD address artificial intelligence-generated content with precision and speed, the Defense Innovation Unit said Thursday. The technology will enable the department to prevent adversaries from using deepfakes for their deception, fraud, disinformation and other malicious operations.
DOD Information Advantage
According to Capt. Anthony Bustamante, project manager and cyber warfare operator for DIU, the effort is expected to bolster the agency’s information advantage in combating disinformation campaigns and synthetic media threats. “This prototype has the potential to enable the DOD to detect and counter AI deception at scale, maintaining our nation’s information advantage in an increasingly complex digital battlefield,” he added.
DIU noted that the project will advance ongoing efforts to counter threats posed by deepfakes and manipulated multimedia content. The tools and methodologies developed through the initiative could also be used to safeguard civilian institutions against disinformation, fraud and deception.
Protecting the Information Ecosystems’ Integrity
In a statement, Hive said its offering will protect the vital information ecosystems’ integrity and boost the DOD’s preparedness for the future spread of misinformation, threats and conflicts.
