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A new computer program is able to imitate anyone’s handwriting, researchers at University College London (UCL) have revealed.
The program, called My Text In Your Handwriting, was developed at UCL and is able to take a sample of any handwriting, examine it and then recreate it.
Tests so far have seen it used on famous examples, including the handwriting of Abraham Lincoln and Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
According to researchers, the algorithm is able to recognise and recreate writing no matter the pen, pencil or other writing tool used.
The creators also say that it could be used to improve security around banking if used to handwrite addresses when sending out sensitive details including new cards. It’s also been suggested as a way of making handwritten cards sent with flowers appear more personal.
Concerns over possible fraud issues have also been dismissed by researchers, who say that close examination by a microscope will still reveal whether or not writing was actually carried out by a human, or machine-generated.
