Covert Communication in the Meta Era: Blending Steganography with Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence

In a world increasingly shaped by intelligent and immersive technologies, augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are redefining how we interact with digital information. This book explores how these powerful tools can be combined with advanced security techniques to create applications that are not only interactive but also secure and discreet.

Bridging theory and practice, the book provides a comprehensive introduction to AR, AI, steganography, and cryptography, guiding readers through their foundations and real-world applications. It examines the evolution of AR technologies and their distinction from virtual and mixed reality, while also presenting key AI concepts with a focus on object detection using modern models such as YOLOv8. The text further explores the principles of steganography and cryptography, highlighting their roles in protecting sensitive information. These concepts are then brought together in the design and development of a dual-purpose augmented reality application. Using Unity and the Vuforia SDK, alongside a custom-trained AI model, the application demonstrates both object recognition for general users and a covert communication system for secure data exchange.

By integrating multiple cutting-edge technologies into a single cohesive framework, this book offers a unique contribution to the field. It is particularly valuable for students, researchers, and professionals seeking practical guidance and innovative approaches to building intelligent, secure AR systems in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Leila Benarous is an Associate Professor at Amar Telidji University in Laghouat, Algeria, specializing in computer networks, distributed systems, and cybersecurity. Her research focuses on privacy preservation, vehicular networks, and artificial intelligence applications in security. She earned her PhD from Abou Bekr Belkaid University in Tlemcen and obtained her Habilitation to Direct Research in 2025. She has contributed to numerous international publications and holds several patents reflecting her interest in practical and socially relevant innovations. She has also been involved in teaching a wide range of courses in computer science and has participated in academic collaborations with institutions in Algeria and abroad. In addition to her academic work, she is engaged in professional training in networking and cybersecurity. She remains committed to advancing research, education, and innovation in her field.

Abderrazak Benarous is a PhD student in Computer Science, specialty: Networks and Cybersecurity, at the University of Amar Telidji–Laghouat, Algeria. He received his BSc degree in Computer Science (IT Systems and Networks) and his MSc degree in Networks, Distributed Systems, and Applications in 2022 and 2024, respectively, from the University of Amar Telidji–Laghouat, Algeria. His current research focuses on digital forensics and computational intelligence, with a particular emphasis on deepfake detection and analysis. His broader research interests include network security and privacy, distributed and mobile networks, cybersecurity solutions, artificial intelligence for computer vision, steganography and multimedia security, and the integration of emerging technologies such as augmented reality into secure and intelligent systems. He has participated in several national and international scientific events.