IBM Research has announced that it is introducing an AI-enabled scanner, the IBM Crypto Anchor Verifier, which will use blockchain to allow the global product consumers to check the origin and authenticity of their items.
The innovation engine of the IBM corporation is rolling out the technology with one of its first clients, GIA (Gemological Institute of America) — an independent non-profit that protects gem and jewelry customers, to help them evaluate and grade diamonds.
Objects and substances that are worn, eaten or used every day will also be open to the scrutiny of the IBM Crypto Anchor Verifier software as it can validate a product’s unique optical patterns, sometimes undetectable by the human eye, that differentiates them from each other.
Within the next five years, IBM has stated that the digital ledger, blockchain, and cryptographic anchors, which are computers that are smaller than a grain of salt, will be able to prove the authenticity of a product.
IBM's IBM Crypto Anchor Verifier in action
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In a blog post, IBM stated: “By collaborating with GIA, we’re taking this research outside of the lab and into a real-world setting.
“The Institute is dedicated to ensuring public trust in gems and jewelry through its pursuit of research, education and standards-based gem identification and grading services.”
GIA’s engagement with IBM Research includes the co-design of an imaging system that will embed the optical lens into GIA’s grading process before this solution goes into production.
During this multi-year engagement, IBM said it plans to release “new and enhanced services”.
It added: “We [IBM] think the opportunities for the Crypto Anchor Verifier are limitless and offer a viable way to protect and validate all kinds of physical substances and, combined with the blockchain, bring new levels of trust to business transactions.”