UK startup Surf Security has launched a beta version of what it claims is the worlds first browser with a built-in feature designed to spot AI-generated deepfakes.The tool, available through Surfs browser or as an extension, can detect with up to 98% accuracy whether the person youre interacting with online is a real human or an AI imitation, the company said.The London-based cybersecurity upstart uses military-grade neural network technology to detect deepfakes. The system uses State Space Models, which detect AI-generated clones across languages and accents by analysing audio frames for inconsistencies.To maximise its effectiveness, we focused on accuracy and speed, said Ziv Yankowitz, Surf Securitys CTO. The tools neural network is trained using deepfakes created by the top AI voice cloning platforms, he said.Register NowThe system has an integrated background noise reduction feature to clear up audio before processing. It can spot a deepfake audio in less than 2 seconds, said Yankowitz.The new feature is available for audio files, including online videos or communication software such as WhatsApp, Slack, Zoom, or Google Meet. You just need to press a button and the system verifies if the audio recorded, or live is genuine or AI-generated. Surf said it will also add AI image detection to the browsers toolkit in the future.Deepfakes are a growing problemDeepfakes, which use AI to create convincing fake audio or video, are a rising threat.Just this week, researchers at the BBC unearthed deepfake audio clips of David Attenborough that sound indistinguishable from the famous presenters own voice. Various websites and YouTube channels are using the deepfake to get him to say things about Russia, about the US election that he never said.This is just the tip of an ugly iceberg. Deepfakes have been used to enable large-scale fraud, incite political unrest through fake news, and destroy reputations by creating false or harmful content.Surf said it launched the new deepfake detector to help protect enterprises, media organisations, police, and militaries around the world from the growing risk of AI cloning. However, battling deepfakes is a continuous battle between humans using machines for good, against other humans using machines for nefarious means.AI voice cloning software becomes more capable by the day, admitted Yankowitz. So like all of cybersecurity, we are committing to winning an ever-evolving arms race.Surf expects to release the full version of its deepfake detector early next year. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with