WASHINGTON – November 26, 2024 – The International Spy Museum, in collaboration with Cortina Productions and Pisci.Ai powered by Insight Face, launches a first-of-its-kind AI disguise interactive as part of its popular RFID-enabled experience, Undercover Mission. Developed specifically for the International Spy Museum, this interactive marks the first time AI will be used in photo technology in this way for museum visitors, in this case offering unique and advanced face-swapping application to create a one-of-a-kind photo op.
GS Staff Member Eric Green’s first disguise interactive photos, in the new realism and Film Noir modes.
Photo Credit: International Spy Museum
“It’s exciting to create new experiences at the forefront of technology,” shares Kathryn Keane, vice president of exhibitions and collections. “While AI has begun to debut in certain aspects of museums and cultural institutions, we have created something totally new here at the International Spy Museum with the help of our partners at Cortina Productions. The specialized facial recognition technology brings visitors face-to-face with the art of disguise – showing them how it works in a personalized and memorable way.”
Utilizing new technology along with a closed platform containing over 100,000 base images created for this activity, the interactive produces unique images for each visitor and match them with one of many backgrounds. Visitors take a photo and then can age themselves up or down; determine a filtered backdrop, such as realism or Film Noir spy thriller; and choose additional disguise options like scarfs, hats, and facial hair to further blend into their environment. For visitors who want to share their disguised image with friends via text or social media, QR codes are available. Unique photos are produced in real time.
The broader Undercover Mission experience is integrated into the Museum and offers an opportunity to test the visitor’s spy skills throughout their visit. These skills include creating a gadget to gather secret information, uncovering hidden dead drop sites, and properly blending into one’s surroundings and cover identity.
“Significant advances in AI have enabled museums to create dynamic, personalized visitor experiences. The Spy Museum was among the first to utilize this new technology, and Cortina Productions was thrilled to partner with them to create the new disguise experience,” says Bryan Heisey, principal, operations at Cortina Productions. “Far from being deterred by the new technology, guests have embraced the opportunity. We've been blown away by the enthusiastic visitor response and post-visit engagement.”
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About the International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum, an independent nonprofit organization, is the only public museum in the United States to lift the veil on the tradecraft, history, and contemporary role of espionage and intelligence from a global perspective. The Museum’s mission is to create compelling exhibitions and other learning experiences that shed light on the shadow world of espionage and intelligence, educating and challenging each of us to engage critically with the complex world around us. The Museum's collection chronicles the history of espionage, from its inception to the modern-day challenges facing intelligence professionals worldwide in the 21st century. The original Spy Museum opened in 2002. Its new, expanded building and all-new exhibitions opened in May 2019 to much acclaim.
For more information, please visit spymuseum.org.