Honor to release tool against AI fraud

Chinese handset maker Honor will release an anti-fraud technology powered by artificial intelligence to examine content made with technologies such as Deepfake, said company CEO Zhao Ming.

Zhao made the announcement during the three-day Mobile World Congress, which began in Shanghai on Wednesday.

By incorporating AI into Honor's devices, the technology can autonomously identify image elements in users' video calls. It will send a risk alert to users if it detects any AI face swapping in video content.

According to Beijing-based cybersecurity services provider QAX, the number of fraud cases using Deepfake, an AI-based technology that can stitch a person in an image or video into an uninvolved scenario, spiked 3,000 percent globally in 2023.

Honor also released on Wednesday its AI-powered eye protection technology, which can turn mobile phone screens into user-tailored "defocus lenses" by adjusting the screen to suit the user's habits and surrounding environment.

While this feature is not for medical use and does not have therapeutic functionality, laboratory data show that the transient myopia — or nearsightedness — index is reduced by an average of 13 degrees after using such a screen for 25 minutes. The technology can reduce the transient myopia index by a maximum of 75 degrees.

Zhao said this is the first time that device makers have made the leap from preventing myopia to mitigating myopia symptoms by improving screen performance.

This AI-powered eye protection technology will be applied to Honor's new foldable Magic V3 smartphones, which will be released in China soon, the CEO added.

The new handset will be thinner than its previous edition, which already set a record of 9.9 millimeters when folded. The Magic V3 will be launched in Europe after its debut in China, he said, adding that device companies have a duty to empower the public with AI-enabled hardware.

Compared to cloud-based AI, device-based AI enjoys the advantage of being closer to end users. Therefore, device-based AI can offer real-time recognition of users' locations and physiological indicators, he said.

Meanwhile, device-based AI can process more complicated data thanks to its computing capability which works round the clock. Device-based AI is also superior to cloud-based AI in terms of personal privacy protections, as the former can provide a more personalized, ergonomic and privacy-preserving intelligent experience, added Zhao.

During a news conference held later on Wednesday, he said software, smartphone applications and internet services can be significantly reshaped by applying AI.

"By understanding and recognizing the consumer's intention, software can provide consumers with complete services. For example, software can complete a series of actions such as booking air tickets, hailing cabs and recommending local restaurants and tourist destinations when one travels. These services can be made possible in smartphones after AI is better integrated."

Public data show Honor invested about 11.5 percent of its annual revenue in research and development in 2023. This ratio will be above 11 percent this year, Zhao said, adding that, "The thing is, AI will empower all the devices we make in the future, including smartphones, personal computers, tablets and wearables."

Derived from MWC Barcelona — an annual gathering of the mobile tech industry, MWC Shanghai has been held since 2012. AI, 5G and intelligent manufacturing are the three major topics at this year's MWC Shanghai.