Pangram's new detector shows which part of a photo is AI, for the next time a damage claim looks a bit too cinematic
By Brett Gavaghan, Founder of Adaptd ·
AI detection company Pangram has released Image 1.0, which flags AI-made images and shows the edited area on a heatmap. A faster model checks video frame by frame.
The short version
- Pangram Image 1.0 detects AI-made images and uses a heatmap to mark which part of a photo looks AI-generated.
- It launched on 4 November through Pangram's web app, API and Chrome extension, alongside a faster model for video.
- Use it as a second opinion on suspicious photos, not as proof on its own.
A photo used to be decent evidence that something happened. These days it's more of an opening statement.
What is Pangram Image 1.0?
Pangram Image 1.0 is a detector that checks whether an image was made or altered by AI, and shows a heatmap of where the AI content sits. Pangram released it on 4 November 2026 alongside Image Flash 1.0, a faster model that checks video frame by frame.
The heatmap is the useful bit. A real photo with one AI-added detail, such as a dent or a crack, is harder to judge than a fully fake one, and this points to the area in question.
How accurate is it, and who can use it?
Pangram reports 99.96% accuracy on 1,200 synthetic images made with 12 AI image generators, but that's the company's own test set, so read it as a claim rather than an independent result. It also says Flash scored 98.7% on a video benchmark called DF26.
Anyone can try it through the web app, and developers can use the API. The Chrome extension flags AI content as you browse social media, shopping and rental listings. The minimum image size is now 256 by 256 pixels, and anything under 512 comes with a reduced confidence warning. Pangram's launch post doesn't mention regional limits, so check the pricing page before you plan around it.
Should your business use an AI image detector?
Your business should consider an AI image detector if photos drive decisions, such as refund claims, insurance evidence, supplier listings or rental applications. If nobody ever sends you images to judge, you can skip this one.
My take: treat it like a smoke alarm. It tells you where to look, and a person still decides. Don't accuse a customer on a detector's word alone, because every detector gets some wrong and a false accusation costs more than a refund. Ask for a second photo or a quick video call instead.
Genuine customers won't mind. A real dent looks the same from another angle.
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