Details

When: May 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM

Where: Seminar Room 6 (SR6), Währinger Straße 29, 1090 Vienna

Speaker: Hassan Ugail

Title: Recent Developments and Opportunities for Using AI in Art Authentication

Abstract: As Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes numerous fields, the art world is discovering the transformative potential of machine learning in art authentication. This talk will focus on the role of machine learning and computer vision in analysing historical artworks, emphasising how advanced models have the potential to assist in identifying the authenticity of masterpieces. The talk will explore how these technologies now assist experts in analysing historic artworks, adding objectivity and precision to authenticity assessments. Recent breakthroughs, for example, demonstrate the potential of machine learning algorithms trained to capture the "digital signatures" that bind an artist's specific technique. A notable example involves Madonna della Rosa, where we have used deep machine learning to identify stylistic differences in the depiction of Joseph, suggesting that Raphael's hand may not have painted it. This capability, achieved through training on confirmed Raphael works, has enabled AI to differentiate Raphael's distinct style with a remarkable 98% accuracy. By examining details invisible to the naked eye—like brushstroke patterns, colour layering, and tonal transitions—AI algorithms reveal insights into an artist's signature style.

Bio: Professor Hassan Ugail is a distinguished authority in visual computing. He has pioneered AI-based methods in art analysis, particularly for authenticating historical artworks. With over 30 years of experience, he directs the Centre for Visual Computing and Intelligent Systems at the University of Bradford, where his research spans facial recognition, biometric analysis, and digital health. Professor Ugail’s contributions include groundbreaking AI methods and tools for art and biometric analysis, having played a vital role in high-profile cases like identifying Russian spies involved in the Salisbury Novichok incident. His work exemplifies AI’s impact on art preservation and museum research, bridging technology with cultural heritage.