Open Call
HMGCC Co-Creation challenge: Geolocation and detection of deepfakes from photos
Overview
Tools to geolocate and detect deepfakes in photos are the focus of the latest HMGCC Co-Creation challenge now open for applications.
Organisations are being invited to apply for a 12-week challenge aimed at researching potential tools and their effectiveness.
Photo analysis is important to national security for example in a hostage situation, when images are scrutinised for clues to proof of life and location. Continuing developments in doctored photos and deepfakes have made this more challenging.
This project will be centred around two workstreams:
- Test commercial photo geolocation tools, explaining how they work. The bulk of the work is expected in this workstream.
- Conduct deepfake red/blue team testing.
Organisations are encouraged to collaborate and form consortia for these workstreams, particularly for red/blue team testing. Increased funding is available for these collaborations.
Technology themes
Artificial intelligence, app development, business intelligence, computer vision, data science and engineering, geospatial science and technology, machine learning, privacy enhancing technologies, software development.
Key information
Budget per single organisation, up to (ex VAT): £80,000
Budget for consortium, up to (ex VAT): £120,000
Project duration: 12 weeks
Competition opens Monday 22 September
Competition closes Thursday 23 October
Context of the challenge
National security investigates images of concern, including those related to kidnappings, conflicts, suspected crimes, terrorist activity, and disinformation deepfakes. Photos are analysed to identify perpetrators and the location of the offence.
Who should apply?
This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.
Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.
Evaluation criteria
All proposals, regardless of the application route, will be assessed by the HMGCC Co-Creation team. Proposals will be scored 1–5 on the following criteria:
Scope: Does the proposal fit within the challenge scope, taking into consideration cost and benefit?
Innovation: Is the technical solution credible, will it create new knowledge and IP, or use existing IP?
Deliverables: Will the proposal deliver a full or partial solution, if a partial solution, are there collaborations identified?
Timescale: Will the proposal deliver a minimum viable product within the project duration?
Budget: Are the project finances within the competition scope?
Team: Are the organisation / delivery team credible in this technical area?
Sept
Competition opens
Online briefing link / Deadline to submit clarifying questions
Clarifying questions deadline
Oct
Clarifying questions
published
Oct
Competition closes
Nov
Shortlisted applicant notified
Nov
Pitch day in Milton Keynes
Nov
Pitch day outcome
Nov
Commercial onboarding begins*
Target project kick-off
*Please note, the successful solution provider will be expected to have availability for a 1-hour onboarding call via MS Teams on the date and time specified to begin the onboarding/contractual process.
Application process
Applications close Thursday 23 October, 5pm
Please find details on how to apply, as well as more information about the challenge, here.
Supporting documents
HMGCC Co-Creation supporting information
HMGCC works with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.
HMGCC Co–Creation is a partnership between HMGCC and Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory), created to deliver a new, bold and innovative way of working with the wider UK science and technology community. We bring together the best in class across industry, academia, and government, to work collaboratively on national security engineering challenges and accelerate innovation.
HMGCC Co-Creation aims to work collaboratively with the successful solution providers by utilising in-house delivery managers working Agile by default. This process will involve access to HMGCC Co-Creation’s technical expertise and facilities to bring a product to market more effectively than traditional customer supplier relationships.
