Researchers Develop AI That Turns Simple Sketches Into Hyper-Realistic Portraits

Artificial intelligence (AI) can now be deployed to transform “freehand sketches” into hyper-realistic pictures.

The AI called ‘DeepFaceDrawing’, is developed by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. According to the study, the technology is designed to help “users with little training in drawing” to create “high-quality face images” even from “rough or incomplete sketches.”

The AI works by examining the details of the drawing, and check those features against a database of facial features. It then considers each feature—eyes, nose, nouth, and hair—separately, before assembling its own image.

Though the technology isn’t unique, the ‘DeepFaceDrawing’ only requires minimal detail to produce the results. However, please note that the more detailed the sketch is, the image produced will be much more realistic and accurate.

The researchers have stated that the technology still requires finetuning before it is ready to be released to the public. The AI “currently does not provide any control of color or texture in synthesized results,” which means it would have difficulty producing images for people of color. The current AI is also limited to straight-on head shots.

The researchers are set to present the technology at the SIGGRAPH online conference this July.