Completed Computing & AI Engineering

GUARD: Generated Unauthentic Ad Recognition & Detection

In plain English

AI plain-English summary

Deepfake ads are flooding the internet, and a new system called GUARD aims to spot them in real time before they reach consumers. In 2023, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre reported a 300% surge in deepfake-related fraud, costing businesses an estimated £23 million annually, while only 61% of people can correctly identify synthetic images and videos. GUARD tackles this by combining three tools: AI that analyses visual, audio, and text cues to catch subtle manipulations; a blockchain ledger where advertisers register original ads to detect tampering; and a crowdsourced reporting system that lets users flag suspicious content, continuously refining detection algorithms. If successful, GUARD could protect brand reputations and restore consumer trust in digital advertising—a market projected to reach $1 trillion by 2027. The deepfake detection segment alone is expected to grow from $4.6 billion in 2023 to $10.2 billion by 2028. The system is designed for broad adoption through a SaaS model, APIs for large partners, and lightweight browser extensions for individual users.

View original technical description
Deepfake technology poses a rapidly escalating threat in digital advertising. In 2023, the UK's National Cyber Security Centre reported a 300% surge in deepfake-related fraud, costing businesses an estimated £23M annually, while research from the University of Waterloo reveals that only 61% of people can correctly identify synthetic images and videos. **GUARD** addresses these challenges by providing a scalable real-time solution to detect and prevent deepfake ads. Our solution integrates three complementary pillars. First, our multi-modal detection uses state-of-the-art AI models to simultaneously analyse visual, auditory, and textual cues, significantly reducing false positives and catching subtle manipulations. Second, blockchain-based content verification allows advertisers to register their original ads on a secure, distributed ledger, ensuring that any tampering or unauthorised replication is rapidly identified. Third, our crowdsourced reporting mechanism empowers end-users to flag suspicious content, creating a dynamic, community-driven feedback loop that continuously refines our detection algorithms. With the global digital advertising market projected to reach $1 trillion by 2027, and the deepfake detection segment expected to grow from $4.6 billion in 2023 to $10.2 billion by 2028, **GUARD** represents a timely and critical innovation that protects businesses and consumers. It not only safeguards brand reputation but also restores consumer confidence by ensuring the authenticity of digital content. Moreover, our solution is designed for seamless integration via a SaaS model, APIs for large-scale partners, and lightweight browser extensions for individual users, ensuring broad accessibility and adoption.

View the original record at the funder ↗

Related Research

Grants with similar aims, by meaning.

BeaconAD+ - Detecting and eliminating Ad-fraud through an advanced blockchain and AI-enabled machine learning web analytics tool.
MetaGuard: Safeguarding DeFi and Metaverse Transactions
AssetGuard+: AI-Driven Asset Criticality Classification with Generative AI, Automated Risk Assessment, and Privacy-Preserving Analytics
Enhancing Robustness and Security of Edge AI Systems for Safety-Critical Applications
The AI Advantage: Developing Trusted, Ethical & Accessible AI Augmented Human Decision Making & Automation for SMBs

Original classification

Collaborative R&D

Plain English summaries and category classifications on this site are generated by AI and may not perfectly reflect the original research.