ITIC UK 2026 | How deepfakes are changing evidence

The ITIJ team are reporting from ITIC UK in Brighton this week (29–30 April 2026), sharing the discussions that take place at the conference. Read all reports.

Jed Stone, Director, Issured

In this interactive session at ITIC, Stone explored how deepfake technology is reshaping the way evidence is created, presented, and ultimately trusted within the travel insurance sector.

Drawing on a career spanning law enforcement and digital intelligence, Stone first established context by charting the rapid evolution of synthetic media. What began as low-quality, easily detectable imagery has developed into highly convincing video and voice content that can now be produced in minutes using widely available tools. Set against the backdrop of increasingly sophisticated, technology-enabled crime, he highlighted how fraud had become more scalable, accessible, and difficult to detect than ever before.

Moderated by Marc Banting, Chief Operating Officer at ITIC, the session immersed delegates in a realistic claims scenario involving a skiing accident. As the situation unfolded, attendees were encouraged to assess the evidence in real time, identifying potential red flags and questioning what they could genuinely trust. The exercise demonstrated how manipulated footage and even live deepfake interactions could convincingly support a fraudulent claim, challenging long-held assumptions around “seeing is believing”.

Stone also addressed the growing tension between speed and truth in modern claims environments. While insurers have prioritised faster, more seamless customer experiences, this reliance on trust is increasingly being exploited. He highlighted that many current processes still depend on uncontrolled, user-submitted evidence with little ability to verify its origin or authenticity.

A member of the audience asked how insurers should approach the redesign of processes to catch deepfakes. “Detection is dependent on the capability of artificial intelligence (AI),” said Stone. He emphasised that we must look for red flags and rely on AI detection tools to make an educated judgement. “Biometric authentication is a way to make sure who you are talking to is really who you’re talking to,” he added.

The session concluded by looking ahead, emphasising a shift towards stronger evidence integrity through controlled capture, secure interactions, and a greater focus on defensibility – moving beyond simply detecting fraud to being able to prove what is real.