The rapid progress of generative models—particularly diffusion-based architectures—has significantly increased the realism and diversity of synthetic media, challenging the reliability of digital information. Deepfake detection and image source attribution have therefore become central research problems. Deep learning has driven major advances through powerful data-driven models capable of capturing subtle artifacts and complex distributional patterns; however, many approaches rely on heavily supervised training and substantial computational resources, raising concerns about scalability and robustness. Recent work has explored detection and attribution strategies based on the internal representations of large foundation models, such as diffusion models and vision transformers. At the same time, mathematically grounded methods—from information theory to geometry, topology, and spectral analysis—offer principled tools to characterize structural differences between real and generated data.
This workshop brings together researchers from deep learning, applied mathematics, and computer vision to explore hybrid approaches for deepfake detection and attribution that integrate modern generative models with mathematical methods such as information theory, topology, geometry, and spectral analysis. Moreover, a challenge will be held on the rapidly evolving task of Synthetic Image Source Attribution. The challenge will be carried out on an attribution dataset, comprising 10 state-of-the-art text-to-image generators. The participants will carry out closed set and open set attribution experiments, simulating a real-world attribution scenario. By fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue, this workshop seeks to advance theoretical understanding, methodological innovation, and practical robustness in deepfake detection, and to identify mathematically principled directions that remain effective as generative models continue to evolve.
Workshop Organizers
- Paolo Andreini
- Simone Bonechi
- Pietro Bongini
- Barbara Toniella Corradini
- Caterina Gallegati
- Sara Mandelli
- Duccio Meconcelli
- Andrea Montibeller
- Niccolò Pancino