News

MIT’s “PhotoGuard” Protects Images From Unauthorized AI Edits

The technology invisibly alters select pixels to throw off algorithmic AI models.

Published

3 years ago

July 25, 2023

Nour Nasir

mit's photoguard protects images from unauthorized ai edits

MIT CSAIL

As AI continues to develop rapidly, chatbots are gaining the power to create and manipulate images, with Shutterstock and Adobe currently leading the way. Despite the obvious power of AI algorithms, the technology has a few pitfalls, one of which is the unauthorized manipulation of copyrighted artwork and images.

MIT CSAIL thinks it has the answer to this growing problem in the form of PhotoGuard, a new technique that alters select pixels in an image to disrupt AI’s ability to understand what the image is.

The altered pixels are known as “perturbations” and are invisible to the human eye but easily seen by AI bots as they scan the color and position of every pixel in an image. Any edits AI tries to make to a protected image will also apply to the fake pixels, resulting in an unrealistic or broken final image, thanks to PhotoGuard.

Also Read: PicSo Review: A Popular AI-Based Text-To-Image App

“The encoder attack makes the model think that the input image is some other image,” explained MIT student and lead author of the paper, Hadi Salman. “Whereas the diffusion attack forces the diffusion model to make edits towards some target image”. The technique sounds complex but could potentially stop malicious actors from reverse engineering protected images by adding minor edits to circumvent copyright.

“A collaborative approach involving model developers, social media platforms, and policymakers presents a robust defense against unauthorized image manipulation. Working on this pressing issue is of paramount importance today,” Salman said in a recent press release. “And while I am glad to contribute towards this solution, much work is needed to make this protection practical. Companies that develop these models need to invest in engineering robust immunizations against the possible threats posed by these AI tools”.

News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

5 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

Also Read: This UAE Platform Wants To Replace Fashion Photo Shoots With AI

The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.