Enhancing Security with Facial Recognition AI

Smartphones are considered one of the most successful technological advancements of the 21st century, firmly establishing themselves as essential tools in our daily lives. In particular, the facial recognition AI technology integrated into smartphones has revolutionized them beyond being mere mobile devices. Apple's “FACE ID” unlocking feature serves as a prime example of this innovation. The transition from fingerprint recognition, which was commonly used for smartphone unlocking systems, to facial recognition marked a significant transformation in the realms of personal information security and authentication.

Fingerprint recognition had its drawbacks, such as difficulties in registration when fingerprint lines were unclear, a lower recognition rate in cases involving foreign substances like sweat or water on the fingerprint, or when there were injuries. In contrast, facial recognition, driven by rapid technological advancements in machine learning, achieved high recognition rates and provided robust security along with user convenience.

Facial recognition AI is rapidly gaining momentum not only in smartphones, but also in various fields wherein identity verification is essential. In particular, it has been actively embraced in the context of remote identity authentication, driven by the digitization of financial services. In South Korea, Hana Bank took swift action by introducing the “New Hana One Q” app in 2020, becoming the first domestic bank to offer financial services through facial recognition. This app enables users to easily log in and perform financial transactions solely through facial recognition.

Facial recognition AI continues to extend its applications as a technology that enhances security and safety across diverse domains. According to IMARC Group, a global market research firm, the worldwide facial recognition AI market was estimated at $6 billion last year and is anticipated to reach $18.3 billion by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 18.3% starting in 2023. This growth is fueled by the increasing demand for systems that bolster security in various areas, with facial recognition AI emerging as the forefront technology to address this demand. It is expected to expand across numerous industries, encompassing access control systems such as facility management and attendance tracking, public safety sectors like criminal identification and missing child searches, and healthcare, retail, and service industries.

Why is the Face the Most Secure Means of Identification?

The human face boasts unique features that can effectively distinguish individuals. Its distinct shape and structure remain nearly constant throughout a person's entire lifetime.

 

Source: 1) National Institute of Standards and Technology
2) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, “Promising Database for Palm Vein classification”, 2019

 

Furthermore, facial recognition AI stands out as the only biometric technology that has demonstrated its reliability, underpinned by a vast database comprising over 12 million individuals worldwide. Given that the biometric authentication process, including facial recognition AI, relies on the real-time comparison of digitized biometric data to confirm one's identity, performance testing based on such an extensive database plays a pivotal role in enhancing the technology's fairness and dependability. In the absence of an ample quantity and diversity of data, the model may exhibit reduced accuracy or operate effectively only under specific circumstances.

 

Leveraging a vast database, facial recognition AI elevates its recognition accuracy by encompassing a wide range of facial traits, validating its consistent performance across various variables such as race, gender, age, physical attributes, and expressions. Furthermore, it achieves robust generalization under diverse real-world conditions and variables, accounting for factors like varying lighting, shooting angles, resolutions, and ambient environments.

 

FACE TRUST: Leading with Technological Excellence

ALCHERA is a prominent South Korean company specializing in Visual AI, serving as a national representative in this field. We provide a range of solutions rooted in facial recognition AI, spearheading innovative business opportunities across diverse sectors including finance, security, healthcare, and the environment. Our unwavering commitment lies in establishing the essential infrastructure to bolster these prospects.

ALCHERA extends beyond the mere functional definition of facial recognition as a simple security measure. Instead, it pioneers a paradigm shift within the facial recognition AI market, applying this technology across various industries to drive transformative changes in both security and convenience.

Within Alchera's SMART VIEWING technology suite (Face/Behavior/Anomaly Analysis), facial recognition technology stands as the most crucial element, culminating in the creation of FACE TRUST, a solution that is not only the most straightforward, but also the most secure and trustworthy. Through ALCHERA's FACE TRUST, we elevate the current level of technological stability, positioning it as a technology capable of ensuring safety not only in personal identification, but also in everyday life and various societal contexts.

With FACE TRUST, Alchera aims to establish technology that transcends the realm of personal identification, safeguarding society at large.

 

Evaluating the performance of facial recognition AI involves various factors, but the most crucial elements are accuracy and efficiency. Achieving high accuracy in recognition performance under diverse environments and variations, along with fast recognition processing speed across a wide range, extends the practicality of the technology.

The performance of Age-invariant Face Recognition (addressing aging) is also essential and is rigorously assessed in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Face Recognition Vendor Test (FRVT) in the United States. The "Mugshot 12year+" category evaluates precise identification performance in response to aging of 12 years and older. Alchera has achieved a top-ranking performance in this field domestically. Through ongoing research and development efforts, we have now attained the capability to identify faces with high accuracy even after more than 20 years of aging. This level of performance ensures consistency and stability in long-term recognition in real-world environments, guaranteeing high reliability in identity verification processes.

*FRVT: Face Recognition Vendor Test, which evaluates the performance of facial recognition algorithms *and systems.

Mugshot 12year+: An evaluation category addressing facial recognition performance in response to age changes of 12 years and older.

 

Partial Face Recognition (Partial Recognition) performance has become especially crucial, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when mask-wearing necessitated enhanced identification capabilities. With about 40% of the face typically exposed when wearing a mask, there is a high demand for technology that can accurately recognize individuals even when their eyes and nose are concealed. Alchera's facial recognition AI can reliably identify individuals with a high level of accuracy, even when only 20% of their face is visible due to the presence of masks, hats, or accessories. This not only offers users more convenient services, but also plays a vital role in various fields, such as identifying criminals and missing persons. With our outstanding technological capabilities, we can create a safer and smarter environment for personal identification and identity verification.

 

Facial recognition AI excels in large-scale population searches, delivering outstanding performance that ensures both efficiency and accuracy. Alchera proudly boasts a unique recognition processing capability in South Korea, with a ratio of 1:220,000 or more, a feat substantiated by real-world implementation cases. Currently, we provide facial recognition-based access management AI solutions at the entrance gates of major government buildings in South Korea, including Sejong, Seoul, Daejeon, and Gwacheon. This has effectively resolved congestion during entry and exit via external access control, resulting in significant resource and cost savings. Furthermore, it has made substantial contributions to preventing unauthorized access to government institutions due to lost or stolen entry cards.

Shaping the Future of Facial Recognition AI with FACE TRUST

Compared to just a few years ago, we now have a much deeper understanding of the wide-reaching impact of AI. Chat GPT's language comprehension system delivers personalized information, and the perception and recognition systems in autonomous vehicles are leading the way in enhancing driving efficiency and revolutionizing the transportation industry. Similarly, facial recognition AI has positioned itself to drive innovation in various domains, extending beyond individual convenience. Facial recognition AI is poised to be applied extensively as a pivotal technology in the creation of a society where everyone enjoys safety and protection.

Alchera's FACE TRUST represents the beginning of a transformation, signifying the emergence of facial recognition AI as a trusted technology that takes responsibility for a more secure society.

 

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