Kuaikeji, September 17 Report: Apple has officially rolled out a groundbreaking feature dubbed "Reference Image," empowering users to confirm the authenticity of their snapshots, distinguishing them from AI-generated or post-processed images. This innovative function will make its debut on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

In the wake of generative AI's proliferation, crafting hyper-realistic images has become a breeze for anyone armed with basic tools. From circulating rumors online to fabricating event evidence, AI-generated visuals have emerged as a potent conduit for misinformation dissemination.

Apple's Reference Image shooting mode is tailored to tackle this challenge. When activated, the iPhone concurrently stores an unaltered original image file, preserving the raw image data captured by the image sensor, along with a reliable timestamp and verification details.

The verification journey commences the instant the shutter is clicked. As the sensor captures the scene, the system swiftly applies a digital signature to the original pixel data, essentially bestowing a unique identifier upon the photograph. Any subsequent modifications to the image will be flagged by the verification mechanism.

Subsequently, the signature data and secure time information are dispatched to Apple's proprietary cloud computing platform, which also serves as the hub for Apple Intelligence. Upon receipt of the original image, the system undertakes a second layer of verification and signing, employing quantum-resistant encryption technology to guarantee enduring security.

To bolster credibility, Apple has pledged to publicly document any alterations to each iteration of the image processing code, inviting external researchers and security specialists to conduct audits.

Regarding privacy safeguards, should a sensor exhibit security flaws or be compromised, Apple retains the capability to revoke the device's verification credentials, thereby rendering any photos captured by it unreliable.

At present, the Reference Image feature is exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and necessitates manual activation by users.