Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have developed a new optical technology that gives digital devices a unique 'physical fingerprint' that is difficult to counterfeit, a step that could pave the way for a more secure and faster alternative to traditional passwords and security keys.

Artificial intelligence is responsible for recognizing them and verifying identity with high accuracy.

The technology, published in Nature Electronics, relies on integrated laser chips that generate a unique optical code for each device, while artificial intelligence recognizes and verifies identity with high accuracy.

The study highlights the growing challenges in securing millions of devices connected to digital networks, as traditional methods have become vulnerable to theft and copying, and difficult to manage on a large scale. The new approach allows device identity verification through its inherent physical properties without the need for stored credentials.

The research team leader, Assistant Professor Yating Wan, confirmed that the technology holds great potential to enhance the security of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. Tests showed the system's ability to perform ultra-fast verification operations with low power consumption, making it suitable for future systems.

The KAUST team continues to study integrating the technology into computing and communication architectures, supporting the construction of a more reliable and secure digital ecosystem.