What's up: Pride celebrations
The organization's annual festival kicks off at The Forks from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The festivities include three stages of live entertainment, family-friendly activities, an artisan market and an LGBTTQ+ community zone. Food trucks, beer gardens and a substance-free area will be on site.
Main stage performers include Ami Cheon, Bannock Babes, Sebastian Gaskin, Bicycle Face, Hera and Bobby Dove.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES
Pride Winnipeg's annual festival, rally and parade take place this weekend.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES
Pride Winnipeg's annual festival, rally and parade take place this weekend.
Gather in front of the Manitoba Legislative Building at 10 a.m. on Sunday for a rally, followed by the Pride Parade, which begins at 11 a.m. on Memorial Boulevard with marchers and floats travelling eastbound on Portage Avenue to The Forks.
The parade will be livestreamed on CTV Winnipeg with accessible indoor and outdoor viewing areas inside and in front of Canada Life Centre at 300 Portage Ave. ASL interpreters will be on hand during the rally.
— Eva Wasney
Iiiiit's Saturday Night Pride! With Jaylene Tyme!
Drag queen Jaylene Tyme hosts Rainbow Resource Centre's Pride Weekend party.
Drag queen Jaylene Tyme hosts Rainbow Resource Centre's Pride Weekend party.
The veteran Vancouver drag artist — who was crowned Miss Congeniality in Season 5 of Canada's Drag Race — is headlining Rainbow Resource Centre's Pride Weekend party at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Tyme, a Two-Spirit Indigenous trans woman and advocate, uses her platform to empower her community and raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, the '60s Scoop (of which she is a survivor) and truth and reconciliation. Canada's Drag Race fans will no doubt remember her show-stopping finale dress inspired by the Every Child Matters movement.
Joining Tyme on Saturday is Cake, Rainbow Resource Centre's drag-artist-in-residence, and local performers Kymera and Jamie Allwood. DJ Princess Die will keep the dance floor packed all night.
The event is 18+.
— Jen Zoratti
DAN DANIELSON PHOTO
Club Happenings is hosting a Rainbow Rave.
DAN DANIELSON PHOTO
Club Happenings is hosting a Rainbow Rave.
Dig out your dancing shoes for the ultimate Friday night Pride party; there's no better place to be.
Dance your heart out to sets by an all-queer DJ lineup and feast your senses on electric drag performances.
The night of queer joy, fierce beats and dazzling self-expression features headliner DJ Sydney from Toronto with local powerhouses NotMyAuthority, KvLTBABY, Dov and Inflo.
Promising genre-defying sets that move from house and techno to bass, bounce and beyond, make sure you're prepped for the long-haul during this seven-hour rave extravaganza.
— AV Kitching
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Meet at Upper Fort Garry tonight for a queer history walking tour.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Meet at Upper Fort Garry tonight for a queer history walking tour.
For the next month, nearly every corporation, police service and level of government in Canada will be flying the rainbow flag, but less than 40 years ago, when Winnipeg had its first pride parade in 1987, participants still felt compelled to mask their faces with paper bags to protect their identities.
It's a reminder that Winnipeg's queer history is one of persecution as well as celebration, a legacy represented in the city's queer walking tours.
Join local cultural historian Britt Bauer tonight for the Winnipeg Queer History Walk, a free tour from Upper Fort Garry through downtown and the Exchange District. No registration needed — just show up with comfortable walking shoes.
The Winnipeg Architecture Foundation also has a self-guided Winnipeg Queer History Tour, which covers resource and health centres, clandestine cruising spots, early gay bars and social clubs (did you know that Gio's was originally called the Winnipeg Gay Community Centre?). Visit winnipegarchitecture.ca for more information.
—Conrad Sweatman
LAUREN SIDDALL PHOTO
Good Neighbour Brewing Co.'s patio turns into Queer Gardens this weekend.
LAUREN SIDDALL PHOTO
Good Neighbour Brewing Co.'s patio turns into Queer Gardens this weekend.
Vintage threads, comedy, a queer-themed beer garden and drag queen karaoke: Sherbrook Street businesses have come together to throw a host of events as part of this year's Pride festivities.
The West Broadway Pride block party kicks off tonight with a drag party at Good Neighbour Brewing Co. starting at 6 p.m. and a free Fruit Roll-Up Comedy Showcase at 8 p.m. at The Handsome Daughter. The crew at Chips Vintage are promising a special guest performer at 8 p.m., as well as 20 per cent off all in-store goods plus some limited-edition merchandise, with all proceeds going to Sunshine House.
End the night back at The Handsome Daughter with live band karaoke and local drag queens. Tickets are $10 plus fees at wfp.to/iPd.
Brightly coloured beers will be flowing today through Saturday at the Good Neighbour/Next Door patio, dubbed the Queer Gardens in honour of Pride. Beat the heat with the new quartet of Good Neighbour's Gaytorade sour brews featuring Slay Queen Orange, Electric Bear-y, Fruity Punch and Fierce Grape flavours. The Queer Gardens also hosts an acoustic set by Snackie on Friday and a sold-out Saturday brunch in collaboration with the Winnipeg Humane Society.
— Ben Sigurdson
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Cision Canada
18 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Montréal gets ready to roll out the Rainbows! - FIERTÉ MONTRÉAL'S 19TH EDITION TO BE FESTIVAL'S LARGEST AND MOST INCLUSIVE YET!
MONTRÉAL, July 23, 2025 /CNW/ - Mobilizing over 300 organizations from the community, cultural, non-profit, and economic sectors, all committed to the advancement of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, the Fierté Montréal Festival, presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Loto-Québec, invites the communities and their allies to join the festivities from July 31 to August 10. Fierté Montréal Festival will celebrate the creativity and resilience of communities of sexual and gender diversity in three distinct event Hubs – Urban, Village, and Olympic – stretching from downtown to the East end of Québec's metropole. " Thanks to a growing interest, locally and internationally, in the Fierté Montréal Festival, we are continuing to innovate and build on the festival's strengths. With the loyalty, trust, and solidarity of our valued partners in our three festival Hubs, we are once again able to amplify the voices of communities of sexual and gender diversity. Amid a steep and rapid decline for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights around the world, Montréal itself is a beacon, proudly flying the rainbow flag," said Simon Gamache, Executive Director of Festival Fierté Montréal. Celebrating queer beings and being queer: the Pride Parade With "Blossom Here, Now!" as this year's rallying cry, the Pride Parade will welcome tens of thousands of participants down Boulevard René-Lévesque on August 10 to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and call attention to what we're fighting for. "Blossom Here, Now!" is an invitation to claim our right to blossom fully, to shine brightly, and to love freely. Parade Grand Marshals make the message louder and prouder Fierté Montréal Festival's Grand Marshals are individuals who, through their activism and talent, inspire and contribute to improving the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. In 2025, we proudly welcome Ness Murby, the first openly trans, queer, and Métis Paralympic athlete, and Farah Alibay, a Québécoise aerospace engineer committed to popularizing science and an advocate for greater equity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Diverse and inclusive programming This nineteenth edition of Fierté Montréal Festival will spotlight over 250 artists, of whom a tremendous majority are people from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, proudly featuring a roster of artists who are trans and/or from racialized communities. Chris Ngabonziza, Director of Programming and Artistic Development, adds: " The 19th edition programming is the culmination of work begun three years ago—a collective approach that deepens our commitment to inclusion. It is deployed across our three hubs, with a rich and consistently ambitious offering; but above all, it is a huge celebration of queer culture, in all its diversity." The Village is where our heart is The Village will be buzzing with a bold and daring program of talented creators. In collaboration with Festival M.A.D. and the SDC du Village, the first edition of the Rainbow Market will showcase 2SLGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs, artists, artisans, and designers from August 1 to 3. From July 31 to August 10, the Dovato Stage will host local queer artists featuring drag shows, live bands, burlesque troupes, DJ sets, Bollywood dance, pop music, a show for kids and even a high heel race! At Le National, the comedy night Des gags et des paillettes, presented by La Presse, returns on August 5 and 6, hosted by Phil Lacroix and Yann Aspirot —aka Greg and Tom in the web series Mon Bro—accompanied by local artists, including Coco Belliveau, Tranna Wintour, Maxence Garneau, and Magalie Saint-Vincent. Community Days, presented by Cogeco, will be back August 8 and 9 on Rue Sainte-Catherine Est. The public is welcome to discover more than 100 community groups and organizations, businesses, sports clubs, and sociocultural associations involved with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Families are invited to Place du Village on Saturday, August 9 th, to enjoy children's activities. In collaboration with the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the Jardins Gamelin will also be decked out in rainbows on July 31, August 1, 2, and 6. Fierté Littéraire is back with a series of events showcasing queer creativity of the literary kind. The Festival will close with L'After T-Dance (August 10), presented by romeo's gin, at Sainte-Catherine Hall. Fierté Montréal Festival will host the public at its Headquarters (1306, Rue Sainte-Catherine East), which will house an information booth, a community exhibition, and the Festival's boutique. Urban Hub: diversity delights downtown Montréal For the second consecutive year, the Fierté Montréal Festival will light up our downtown. The Quartier des Spectacles will host 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and their allies on the Loto-Québec Stage at the Esplanade Tranquille. A series of free events will showcase Indigenous artists during Lumière des Nations, presented by Fugues, followed by a program of trans artists, Transcendance (July 31); an evening dedicated to women of sexual and gender diversity with FeminiX, presented by Rogers (August 1); a lively tribute to nightlife as queer revolution with Mundo Disko, presented by Merck (August 2); and our signature show ImmiX, presented by ICI Musique, featuring beloved artists Lisa LeBlanc, Gabrielle Destroismaisons, Martine St-Clair, Calamine, Safia Nolin, and Lennikim, and more, who will share the stage with a raft of emerging artists (August 3). " At Loto-Québec, we are committed to supporting events that bring people together, inspire, and contribute to celebrating a more inclusive society. Our collaboration with the Fierté Montréal Festival reflects our commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all," said Eric Meunier, Director of Social Engagement, Loto-Québec. The Festival returns to Place des Arts with Katherine Levac 's hilarious show, L'été de ma Fierté! (August 1), featuring guests Mona de Grenoble and Anne-Sarah Charbonneau. CinéQueer, a co-presentation with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), will offer three days of free screenings at the Alanis Obomsawin Theatre (August 4, 5, and 6), in collaboration with the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma and the Festival image+nation. CinéQueer online will be available throughout the Festival, in collaboration with the image+nation Festival. Two free community exhibitions will be presented at the NFB Space from July 31 to August 6. The MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises will host a series of panels about issues related to inclusion within and for our communities, organized in collaboration with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations: Surrogacy (August 2, 1 pm), Bisexuality (August 2, 3 pm), an Inter-generational Dialogue on HIV (August 3, 1 pm) and a historical look back at Pride celebrations in Montréal since 1979 (August 3, 3 pm). Meanwhile, the Cinémathèque québécoise will host a round table discussion on rural queer experiences in Europe and Québec (July 30, 4:30 pm). Nightlife enthusiasts will notice a slew of beloved parties that 2SLGBTQIA+ communities will recognize throughout several Fierté Montréal 2025 Editions, as well as official after-parties during the two weekends of the Festival, with seven club nights hosted at venues Club Soda and the Société des arts technologiques (SAT). Starting on August 7, the TD Stage at the Olympic Park's Esplanade will host the big free shows that attract tens of thousands of festival-goers every year. It all kicks off August 7 with the world's largest free drag show, La Soirée 100% Drag, presented by Cabenuva, with hostesses Barbada and Rita Baga, gathering drag royalty of local drag luminaries along with a range of drag artists from various franchises of RuPaul's Drag Race. On August 8, DistinXion, presented by Novartis, will highlight queer fxmmes with Fefe Dobson, Charlotte Day Wilson, and G Flip. Xcellence, a celebration of racialized 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and their allies, will bring Iniko, Bilal Hassani, and Ivy Queen to the stage (August 9). On August 10, the biggest dance floor in town will host the highly anticipated Mega T-Dance, featuring renowned DJs such as Black Flamingo and Marti Frieson. " TD has a long history of supporting all communities, including the 2SLGBTQ+ communities year-round. As we celebrate Pride this year, we're proud to once again support Fierté Montréal Festival—an event that brings people together and amplifies diverse voices across the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Through the TD Ready Commitment, we continue to support initiatives and community programming that help make a positive impact for the communities we serve," said Laurence Levy, Senior Vice-President, Branch Banking, Quebec Region, TD Canada Trust. Recognizing our change-makers Fierté Montréal hands out a trio of prizes to individuals and associations who have been part of making progress in 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and visibility. Accorded annually in recognition of people and groups working to end stigma against people living with HIV (serophobia), the Prix Claude-Tourangeau went to GAP-VIES. For exceptional work on 2SLGBTQIA+ rights advocacy in Montréal and throughout Québec, the Prix Bâtisseur was awarded to the Conseil québécois LGBT. The Prix John Banks, awarded to people or collectives who shine their light on and within Pride, went to the Sœurs de la perpétuelle indulgence de Montréal. Fierté Montréal Festival continues its commitment to environmental responsibility, accessibility, and prevention, with long-term goals dedicated to sustainability, harm reduction, stopping sexual violence, and support to vulnerable members of our communities and artists. We constantly endeavour to improve accessibility measures in collaboration with a wide range of community stakeholders, such as REZO, the GRIP, Collectif Social, the Centre psychologique pour artistes, L'Aparté and Kéroul. " Fierté Montréal is much more than a festival; it is a vibrant celebration of the diversity, creativity and resilience of 2SLGPTQI+ communities. By supporting events such as this one, we are reaffirming that each and every individual must be able to develop fully, love freely and participate actively in the economic, social and cultural life of our country. I am proud that our government is assisting Fierté Montréal, as well as the countless artists, entrepreneurs and organizations who make our communities stronger and more inclusive," stated Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga–Rosemont-Est, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism). " The Fierté Montréal Festival is a shining showcase of diversity, but also a necessary reminder that the fight for the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people is far from over. In a context where hate speech is experiencing a worrying resurgence around the world, more than ever, our solidarity must be unwavering. La Ville de Montréal is proud to support the 19th edition of the Festival and to reaffirm that it is, and will remain, a space of inclusion, equality, and acceptance for all people. I invite the public to join the festivities in large numbers to amplify the voices that lift us, to celebrate love and freedom, and to fly high the flag for Pride," declared Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante. A program for everyone Explore the expansive and inclusive Fierté Montréal Festival 2025 programming on our website, and come out to meet 2SLGBTQIA+ communities where their pride is at. Never Without Our Partners Fierté Montréal thanks its loyal partners, as well as those who have recently joined us, without whom it would be impossible to continue the fight for full recognition of the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities: TD Bank Group, supporter since 2008, Loto-Québec, the Ville de Montréal, the Gouvernement of Québec, the Gouvernement of Canada, Tourisme Montréal, the Conseil des Arts de Montréal, Cabenuva, Rogers, Trojan, the SAQ, Air Canada, Bubly, Radio-Canada, stm, Merck, Loblaws, sans nom, Bud Light, Hydro-Québec, Dovato, Apretude, Fugues, MTL Dans la poche, Cogeco, La Presse, IN Magazine, CTV, Publicité Sauvage, Virgin Radio, Énergie, Rouge, Cult, Le Devoir, GoMag, Petit Futé, Québec Le Mag, Gay City News, Culture Cible, Neo, the SDC Village Montréal, the Société de développement et de mise en valeur du Parc olympique, the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, PME MTL Centre-Ville, the European Union through its delegation based in Canada, the Regroupement des évènements majeurs internationaux and Fierté Canada Pride. About Fierté Montréal Since 2007, Fierté Montréal has been amplifying the voices of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities to ensure their social representation and inclusion, and to defend their rights. As vectors of social change, our festival, community initiatives and artistic/cultural projects celebrate the creativity and resilience of our communities. By listening to and collaborating with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, we call attention to their struggles and realities on the level of both the general public and institutions. Fierté Montréal is based in Tio'tia:ke, on the unceded territory of the Kanien'kehá:ka Nation. We recognize them as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather. Tio'tia:ke is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations, and today, a diverse Indigenous population, as well as other peoples, reside here. It is with respect for connections to the past, present, and future that we recognize the ongoing relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the Montréal community at large.
Winnipeg Free Press
18 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
After much speculation, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham announce ‘Buckingham Nicks' reissue
NEW YORK (AP) — They're not going their own way anymore. After much speculation, Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham announced Wednesday the reissue of 'Buckingham Nicks,' more than 50 years after the release of their only full-length album as a duo. Since its initial release in 1973, 'Buckingham Nicks' has never been reissued and is not currently available on streaming platforms. The remastered version arrives Sept. 19 via Rhino Records' high-fidelity series and was sourced from the original analog master tapes. The album will also receive a CD and digital release for the first time, and the opening track, 'Crying in the Night,' was available to stream Wednesday. Buckingham and Nicks were in their early to mid-20s during the making of their album. 'It was a very natural thing, from the beginning,' Nicks says in the re-release's liner notes, written by music journalist David Fricke. Despite their relative inexperience, 'it stands up in a way you would hope it would, by these two kids who were pretty young to be doing that work,' Buckingham says, according to the announcement release. The reissue announcement was foreshadowed by cryptic Instagram posts last week. Both Nicks and Buckingham shared handwritten lyrics to their official social media accounts. 'And if you go forward…' Nicks posted, a line from their song 'Frozen Love,' which appears on 'Buckingham Nicks.' 'I'll meet you there,' Buckingham shared, completing the lyric. In 2011, Buckingham told Uncut that he and Nicks had 'every intention of putting that album back out and possibly even doing something along with it, but I can't put any specifics on that.' In 2013, on the album's 40th anniversary, Fleetwood Mac released 'Extended Play,' their first new studio material since 2003's 'Say You Will.' The four-track collection featured a song titled 'Without You,' which had been originally slated for 'Buckingham Nicks.' The reissued version of 'Buckingham Nicks' features the same album cover as the original, despite Nicks' public dissatisfaction with the photograph, telling classic rock magazine MOJO that she 'felt like a rat in a trap' during the shoot. 'I'm actually quite prudish. So when they suggested they shoot Lindsey and I nude I could not have been more terrified if you'd asked me to jump off a speeding train,' Nicks told MOJO in 2013. 'Lindsey was like, 'Oh, come on — this is art. Don't be a child!' I thought, 'Who are you? Don't you know me?'' 'Buckingham Nicks' was released one year before they joined Fleetwood Mac, and was met with little commercial success. But it did attract the attention of Mick Fleetwood, who invited Buckingham to join Fleetwood Mac. Buckingham in turn insisted Nicks come, too. The two, then a couple, became the central faces, voices and songwriters of the group for the four decades that followed. The pair's tumultuous relationship appeared across the band's discography: She wrote 'Dreams' about him. He wrote 'Go Your Own Way' about her. Infamously, they broke up while writing the 1977 hit album 'Rumours.' Footage of Nicks staring down Buckingham 20 years later during a performance of 'Silver Springs' routinely goes viral ('You'll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you,' Nicks and Buckingham sing in unison, at one point, holding each other's gaze.) Buckingham left the band in 1987, returning in 1996. The last time the band reunited, however, for a 2018-2019 tour, the rest of the members kicked Buckingham out, and as a result, he sued them. He claimed he was told five days after the group appeared at Radio City Music Hall that the band would tour without him. He says he would have been paid at least $12 million for his share of the proceeds. Later that year, Buckingham said they had settled the lawsuit. Both Buckingham and Nicks have also released reams of solo music. Some fans had theorized that Nicks and Buckingham were teasing a Fleetwood Mac reunion, which would have been the first since the death of vocalist, songwriter and keyboard player Christine McVie in 2022. Last year, Nicks told MOJO that without McVie, 'there is no chance of putting Fleetwood Mac back together in any way.'
Toronto Sun
20 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Canadian researchers create tool to remove anti-deepfake watermarks from AI content
Published Jul 23, 2025 • 3 minute read A person looks at the Instagram account of singer Katy Perry, in Paris, on May 7, 2024, showing a generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) picture depicting the singer at the Met Gala. Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP via Getty Images OTTAWA — University of Waterloo researchers have built a tool that can quickly remove watermarks identifying content as artificially generated — and they say it proves that global efforts to combat deepfakes are most likely on the wrong track. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Academia and industry have focused on watermarking as the best way to fight deepfakes and 'basically abandoned all other approaches,' said Andre Kassis, a PhD candidate in computer science who led the research. At a White House event in 2023, the leading AI companies — including OpenAI, Meta, Google and Amazon — pledged to implement mechanisms such as watermarking to clearly identify AI-generated content. AI companies' systems embed a watermark, which is a hidden signature or pattern that isn't visible to a person but can be identified by another system, Kassis explained. He said the research shows the use of watermarks is most likely not a viable shield against the hazards posed by AI content. 'It tells us that the danger of deepfakes is something that we don't even have the tools to start tackling at this point,' he said. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The tool developed at the University of Waterloo, called UnMarker, follows other academic research on removing watermarks. That includes work at the University of Maryland, a collaboration between researchers at the University of California and Carnegie Mellon, and work at ETH Zurich. Kassis said his research goes further than earlier efforts and is the 'first to expose a systemic vulnerability that undermines the very premise of watermarking as a defence against deepfakes.' In a follow-up email statement, he said that 'what sets UnMarker apart is that it requires no knowledge of the watermarking algorithm, no access to internal parameters, and no interaction with the detector at all.' When tested, the tool worked more than 50 per cent of the time on different AI models, a university press release said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. AI systems can be misused to create deepfakes, spread misinformation and perpetrate scams — creating a need for a reliable way to identify content as AI-generated, Kassis said. After AI tools became too advanced for AI detectors to work well, attention turned to watermarking. The idea is that if we cannot 'post facto understand or detect what's real and what's not,' it's possible to inject 'some kind of hidden signature or some kind of hidden pattern' earlier on, when the content is created, Kassis said. The European Union's AI Act requires providers of systems that put out large quantities of synthetic content to implement techniques and methods to make AI-generated or manipulated content identifiable, such as watermarks. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In Canada, a voluntary code of conduct launched by the federal government in 2023 requires those behind AI systems to develop and implement 'a reliable and freely available method to detect content generated by the system, with a near-term focus on audio-visual content (e.g., watermarking).' Kassis said UnMarker can remove watermarks without knowing anything about the system that generated it, or anything about the watermark itself. 'We can just apply this tool and within two minutes max, it will output an image that is visually identical to the watermark image' which can then be distributed, he said. 'It kind of is ironic that there's billions that are being poured into this technology and then, just with two buttons that you press, you can just get an image that is watermark-free.' Kassis said that while the major AI players are racing to implement watermarking technology, more effort should be put into finding alternative solutions. Watermarks have 'been declared as the de facto standard for future defence against these systems,' he said. 'I guess it's a call for everyone to take a step back and then try to think about this problem again.' Read More Canada Sunshine Girls Olympics Sunshine Girls Columnists
