SDS 2026 Highlights Growing Convergence

The 20th Security Document Summit, held in Beijing on 27–28 May, highlighted the growing convergence between high-security document technologies and commercial product authentication, with artificial intelligence, digital identity and advanced optical security emerging as common themes.

Organised by the China International Association for the Promotion of Science and Technology and the Security Identification Union, the event attracted government agencies, security printers, technology suppliers and brand owners from China and overseas.

While identity documents and banknotes remained central topics, the programme reflected increasing overlap with brand protection and product authentication. Sessions covered optical security, digital identity, traceability and AI-assisted authentication, demonstrating how physical and digital security technologies are becoming increasingly integrated.

Several presentations focused on next-generation optical security. Wellking demonstrated a holographic traceability solution for China’s edible salt supply chain, while Suzhou Image outlined developments in integrated optics and artificial intelligence for secure document authentication. Representatives from the International Optical Technologies Association also highlighted the role of optical security features within broader phygital authentication frameworks.