Innovating the Future: A Conversation with Ankush Tiwari, CEO of pi-labs

An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Ankush Tiwari, Founder and CEO of pi-labs, a Make in India deepfake detection engine

In this insightful interview, Mr. Ankush Tiwari, Founder and CEO of pi-labs, shares his vision behind India’s pioneering deepfake detection engine.

As a proud Make in India innovator, he discusses the challenges, breakthroughs, and future potential of harnessing AI to protect digital trust and combat misinformation globally.

What motivated you to start pi-labs, and how did the idea of focusing on cyberforensics and deepfake detection first take root?

Ankush Tiwari: I’ve been building in the cybersecurity space for a long time, and my approach has always been straightforward — identify the next technological wave that’s poised to become exponential in both the enterprise and consumer worlds, and focus on building the defensive stack around it.

So, when we started brainstorming our next big idea and saw AI beginning to make massive waves, it was clear what we had to do.

Bingo  we decided to build the security layer for this new era, and that’s how our first product, Authentify, a deepfake detection tool, was born.

What were the earliest challenges you faced in building trust for such a niche but critical field like cyberforensics?

Ankush Tiwari: One of the biggest challenges we faced was the shortage of GPUs and keeping up with how quickly generative AI was evolving. On top of that, our customers had extremely strict acceptance criteria, which meant we couldn’t afford to slow down or compromise.

These hurdles pushed us to keep innovating every step of the way and that’s what helped us build one of the most powerful and accurate deepfake detection engines in the world.

Can you explain in simple terms how pi-labs  AI-powered solutions are making a difference in cyberforensics?

Ankush Tiwari: We’ve filed five patents and published several IEEE papers based on our research — and that deep expertise has helped us build one of the most explainable and trusted deepfake detection tools in the world.

But our work goes beyond just spotting manipulated content. Our engine helps agencies trace deepfakes and get closer to the people behind them, turning detection into actionable intelligence.

With this, we’re helping law enforcement get ready for a new era of AI-driven crimes — where deepfakes aren’t just digital tricks but powerful tools in the hands of criminals.

Deepfakes are one of the biggest threats to digital trust today. How does pi-labs  solution tackle this growing menace?

Ankush Tiwari: We have developed and implemented multiple advanced methods to detect deepfakes with high precision.

Our engine is among the most accurate deepfake detection systems in the world, delivering minimal false positives while providing explainable AI through detailed forensic reports. Beyond detection, it also guides users on identifying the malicious actors behind deepfake content.

Our solution offers flexible deployment options, including on-premise and cloud setups, while an API-based SDK allows seamless integration into any enterprise workflow. Additionally, we’ve built a mobile app that enables deepfake detection directly on smartphones and tablets.

Today, we have the largest deployment of our technology across multiple law enforcement agencies, and we actively support them with training programs to spot, analyze, and respond to deepfakes effectively.

We have the largest deployment of our solution with multiple law enforcement agencies. We have been preparing our agencies with various training on how to spot and analyse deepfakes.

Do you see deepfake detection as a tool only for law enforcement, or is it equally critical for businesses, media, and individuals?

Ankush Tiwari: Deepfakes are becoming a critical challenge for enterprises, media, and individuals alike, threatening trust and identity across the board.

Media organizations, in particular, must be able to distinguish between real and manipulated content to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Beyond media, everyday processes like video interviews for recruitment, video KYC for bank onboarding, and video approvals are all under serious threat.

We’ve already seen significant frauds in these areas, prompting companies like Google to mandate in-person interviews for hiring, a trend we expect to grow. It’s clear that we must equip ourselves with the right tools to prevent misuse and protect against deepfake-enabled risks.

With cybercrime on the rise, how do you see AI reshaping the future of digital security and forensic practices?

Ankush Tiwari: Criminals are increasingly leveraging AI to carry out sophisticated cybercrimes, and it’s essential that we harness AI to prevent its malicious use. AI opens up new ways to investigate crimes and build advanced cyber forensic tools, enabling faster and more accurate outcomes.

As digital crime continues to rise, analyzing vast amounts of data becomes critical. AI can play a pivotal role by acting as a co-pilot for investigators, helping them sift through data efficiently, while also enabling the creation of innovative defensive tools to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Are you exploring collaborations with governments, media houses, or tech platforms for wider adoption of your solutions?

Ankush Tiwari: Yes we are. We are actively seeking collaborations with government bodies to help shape regulations and standards for forensic reporting in the context of AI-driven deepfake fraud.

At the same time, we are partnering with enterprises that provide identity verification and background check solutions, working together to prevent identity fraud facilitated by deepfakes.

What policies or frameworks do you believe are essential for regulating and preventing misuse of deepfake and forensic tools?

Ankush Tiwari: There is an urgent need to establish laws addressing deepfake-related crimes. One approach could be to draw inspiration from copyright laws, treating each individual’s face and voice as personal intellectual property, so that any misuse is recognised as a violation.

This could provide a straightforward legal framework to curb the criminal use of deepfake technologies.

What lessons from your entrepreneurial journey would you share with other deeptech founders?

Ankush Tiwari: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that timing and focus are everything. In deeptech, it’s tempting to chase every new idea or technology trend, but real impact comes from identifying a wave that is just beginning and building a solution that addresses a critical, real-world problem, DO NOT INVENT A PROBLEM AND THEN SOLVE FOR IT.

Another key lesson is resilience in the face of technical and operational challenges. When we were building our deepfake detection engine, we faced GPU shortages, rapid AI advancements, and extremely stringent customer expectations. These challenges pushed us to innovate continuously and raise the bar on quality.

Finally, I’ve learned the value of building strong collaborations—with government bodies, enterprises, and research communities. Deeptech problems are complex, and solving them often requires bringing together multiple stakeholders, knowledge domains, and perspectives.

Above all, my advice to fellow founders is to stay patient, stay curious, and never compromise on building solutions that truly make a difference.

Mr. Tiwari’s journey with pi-labs reflects India’s growing role in AI innovation. His deepfake detection engine not only safeguards authenticity but also sets global benchmarks in ethical technology.

Through passion and purpose, he inspires a future where advanced AI solutions uphold truth in an increasingly complex digital era.

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