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Entrupy Develops AI Device to Authenticate Luxury Items With 99.1% Accuracy


02 July, 2024

In the age where luxury resale platforms are flourishing and designer labels are coveted status symbols, the specter of counterfeit goods poses an undeniable challenge for both sellers and shoppers. This is where artificial intelligence steps in as an ingenious solution, promising to add a layer of trust to the burgeoning secondhand luxury market.

The realm of high-end resale is getting a tech-savvy boost with AI-driven verification services – crucial for discerning shoppers eager to invest in authentic designer pieces. One such service, provided by the tech company Entrupy, leverages the power of AI to ensure the legitimacy of luxury handbags and sneakers, bringing peace of mind to the resale experience.

Entrupy, established in the year 2012, has positioned itself at the forefront of this movement, utilizing artificial intelligence for the authentication of opulent commodities. As per the information divulged on the company’s website, since its inception, Entrupy’s AI system has been employed by an array of vintage resellers, as of December 2020, reflecting the tool’s burgeoning appeal in ensuring authenticity.

Why is Entrupy gaining traction now? The technology is tapping into the zeitgeist, as companies are eager to ride the wave of the AI revolution. Entrupy’s offering is currently exclusive to luxury resellers, serving as a third-party validator for esteemed brands such as Balenciaga, Burberry, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. For those in the business of luxury resale, employing this AI tool is more than a tech enhancement—it’s about cementing credibility with consumers who need assurance that their splurges are genuine.

“The whole point of doing this is to add trust and make it verifiable as a third party,” explained Vidyuth Srinivasan, the co-founder and CEO of Entrupy, in a discussion with Elle. Srinivasan’s vision underscores the AI device’s role in bolstering consumer confidence—not just on the seller’s word but through impartial endorsement of the item’s authenticity.

The renewed buzz around Entrupy’s service is partly fueled by its October partnership announcement with TikTok to vet items sold on the TikTok Shop against counterfeit accusations. Strategically timed, this partnership aligns Entrupy with the current fascination surrounding generative AI tools, further illustrated by the popularity of platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

To authenticate a luxury item using Entrupy, sellers attach a specialized hardware piece to their smartphones, outfitting them with a microscopic lens capable of taking highly detailed images of various features, such as the item’s material texture and brand insignia. These images are then scrutinized by an AI algorithm against a vast database of photographs of authentic products. The verdict is swift, often arriving within minutes, and boasts a laudable 99.1% accuracy rate, as claimed on the company’s website. Successful authentication results in an official certificate that retailers can proudly exhibit alongside the verified item.

While the technology is propelling forward, limitations do apply. Entrupy’s CEO concedes that, for now, the tool is most effective with accessories from well-known brands, where the risk of forgery is elevated. The focus remains on those segments where the demand for certainty intersects with a high potential for fraud.

The rise of AI-powered authentication tools is part of a broader trend of AI integration into consumer devices. This surge in AI adaptions is not without parallel; akin developments are visible with Meta’s release of AI-integrated Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Humane.ai’s introduction of an AI pin capable of projecting information onto a user’s palm.

The impact of AI within the luxury resale space is emblematic of its broader transformative potential. AI images generator, AI video generator, ai text generator—such tools not only dominate the latest ai news & ai tools landscape but also signal a pivotal shift in how businesses operate, offering prospects hitherto unimagined.

The rise of authenticity-ensuring AI comes as a recognition of consumer needs in this digital age—a way to bridge trust and technology, adding an indispensable layer of credibility in an industry where reputation is everything. The discerning buyer’s quest for genuine luxury can now be met with the confidence that technology, specifically AI, is there to authenticate, certify, and preserve the integrity of their coveted purchases.