AI can forge handwriting style convincingly, say researchers. But they have overlooked a critical aspect of handwriting, which can’t be imitated.
Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to push the boundaries of what it can emulate, with researchers at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) announcing a breakthrough in imitating a person’s handwriting style, says an article published on The Star.
Leveraging a transformer model, a neural network adept at learning context and meaning in sequential data, the researchers claim that their technology can convincingly forge handwriting based on just a few paragraphs of written material. While this advancement raises possibilities for various applications, it also brings forth concerns related to the authenticity of handwritten content.
AI Ready to forge handwriting?
The development at MBZUAI marks a significant stride in the ongoing exploration of AI’s capabilities. Recognized as the world’s first AI university, the institution has secured a patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office for its innovative handwriting imitation system.
Unlike previous attempts at generating handwriting through apps or robots, the recent progress in AI has accelerated character recognition techniques, providing a more sophisticated and realistic approach to forge handwriting.
The potential applications of this technology are diverse, ranging from assisting individuals with disabilities in writing without the need for a physical pen to generating synthetic data for enhancing other AI models’ understanding of handwriting.
Despite these promising prospects, the inherent risks associated with the ability to forge handwriting cannot be overlooked.
AI’s Big limitation
One key limitation which the experts have missed is the inability of AI to replicate the pressure of handwriting, often referred to as the third dimension of handwriting.
While AI can authentically imitate the form and style of handwriting, it falls short in reproducing the unique pressure applied by an individual during the writing process. This nuance, often imperceptible to the naked eye, plays a crucial role in handwriting analysis.
Handwriting analysis, a field known as graphology, delves into the study of an individual’s handwriting as a means of understanding their personality traits, emotions, and even potential psychological conditions.
Document examiners, trained to scrutinize handwritten material, rely on various factors, including pressure, to assess the authenticity of a document. The pressure exerted while writing reflects the writer’s state of mind, level of confidence, and even potential signs of deception.
Forge handwriting: The significance of handwriting pressure in analysis becomes evident in forensic document examination.
Significance of handwriting pressure
The significance of handwriting pressure in analysis becomes evident in forensic document examination.
When determining the veracity of a document, experts examine the pressure variations across different parts of the writing. This meticulous scrutiny aids in distinguishing between authentic handwriting and forged attempts.
Although AI may successfully forge handwriting or mimic the visual aspects of handwriting, the absence of accurate pressure replication becomes a significant factor when subjected to the scrutiny of document examiners.
Therefore, while AI-generated handwriting may appear indistinguishable from the human counterpart at first glance, the lack of accurate pressure emulation introduces a vulnerability. This crucial aspect serves as a safeguard against potential forgeries and misuse, especially when the documents undergo scrutiny by trained professionals.
Handwriting analysis itself is a nuanced discipline that extends beyond mere visual aesthetics. It encompasses various features, each offering insights into the writer’s characteristics. The size, slant, spacing, and pressure of handwriting all contribute to a comprehensive profile. Handwriting pressure, in particular, reflects the force applied by the writer’s hand on the writing surface.
Handwriting pressure analysis
In graphology, heavy pressure indicates traits such as determination, strong emotions, and sometimes stubbornness. On the contrary, light pressure may suggest sensitivity, a gentle demeanor, or a lack of assertiveness. Moderate pressure is often associated with a balanced personality, indicating a combination of resilience and adaptability.
Moreover, pressure variations within a single piece of writing can unveil the writer’s emotional fluctuations or changes in thought processes. Sudden shifts in pressure might signify moments of hesitation, uncertainty, or concealment of information. Document examiners rely on these subtle cues to unravel the authenticity of a handwritten document.
The inability of AI to replicate handwriting pressure adds a layer of protection against potential misuse of this technology. Even as the visual imitation may deceive casual observers, the absence of accurate pressure representation becomes a significant hurdle when subjected to the scrutiny of forensic experts and document examiners. This limitation inherently limits the risks associated with forgeries, ensuring that the technology’s potential for misuse is not as significant as initial concerns might suggest.
Final words
In conclusion, the recent strides made by researchers in replicating handwriting through AI are undoubtedly remarkable. However, the recognition of the technology’s limitations, particularly in replicating the pressure aspect of handwriting, is crucial in understanding the potential risks and safeguards. And that makes it difficult for AI to authentically forge handwriting.
Handwriting analysis, with its multifaceted approach to deciphering personality traits and emotional nuances, underscores the complexity of the human hand’s interaction with the writing surface.
As AI continues to advance, responsible deployment and public awareness become paramount to mitigate potential risks associated with the misuse of technology to forge handwriting.
Disclaimer: One element of handwriting may be analysed at a time, but always look at the entire handwriting sample before arriving at any conclusion.
