One of the most common concerns when using AI assistance during exams or interviews is: "Will it show up in screen recordings?" The answer, when using advanced AI overlay software like Latvik, is a definitive no. This article explains the technical reasons why AI overlays remain invisible to screen share detection.
Understanding how screen recording works and how AI overlays bypass it is crucial for anyone considering using AI assistance during proctored exams, interviews, or screen-shared sessions.
How Screen Recording Works
Screen recording software, whether it's built into LockDown Browser, Zoom, Teams, or other platforms, captures content from the frame buffer—the area of memory that holds what's currently displayed on your screen. This capture happens at a specific layer of the operating system's graphics stack.
Traditional applications render their content into this frame buffer, which means everything they display gets captured by screen recording software. However, AI overlay software uses a different approach that bypasses this capture mechanism entirely.
The Compositing Layer Advantage
Modern operating systems use a compositing window manager that renders windows in layers. AI overlay software like Latvik renders its content in a compositing layer that exists above the screen capture point. Here's how it works:
- Separate rendering pipeline: The overlay uses a separate graphics pipeline that doesn't feed into the frame buffer
- Post-composition rendering: Content is rendered after screen capture occurs
- Hardware acceleration: Uses GPU-level rendering that bypasses software capture
- Direct display output: Renders directly to the display without going through capture APIs
Why Screen Share Can't See It
When you share your screen during a video call or when LockDown Browser records your exam, the recording software captures content from specific APIs (like Windows Graphics Capture API or macOS ScreenCaptureKit). These APIs only capture content from the frame buffer and application windows—not from compositing layers rendered above them.
The AI overlay exists in a layer that's composited onto the final display output but never enters the frame buffer that screen recording software monitors. This is why it's completely invisible to:
- Screen recording software
- Screen sharing in video calls
- Proctoring software
- Screen capture tools
- Remote desktop software
Technical Implementation Details
Windows Implementation
On Windows, Latvik uses DirectComposition or Windows.UI.Composition APIs to create a visual layer that's rendered by the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) but exists outside the normal window hierarchy. This layer is composited directly onto the display output without being part of the captureable window tree.
macOS Implementation
On macOS, the overlay uses Core Animation layers or Metal rendering that bypasses the standard window server capture mechanisms. The content is rendered in a way that's visible to you but invisible to screen capture APIs.
Verification and Testing
Latvik has been extensively tested to verify its invisibility:
- Screen recording tests: Recorded screens with various software—overlay never appears
- Video call tests: Shared screens during Zoom, Teams, Meet calls—completely invisible
- LockDown Browser tests: Used during actual exams with screen recording—undetected
- Proctoring software tests: Tested with various proctoring solutions—no detection
- Review by instructors: Recordings reviewed by professors—no evidence of overlay
Comparison with Traditional Methods
Traditional methods of accessing help during screen-shared sessions are easily detected:
| Method | Detection Risk |
|---|---|
| Opening another browser tab | High - Easily detected |
| Using Alt+Tab to switch windows | High - Immediately flagged |
| Second monitor with notes | Medium - Visible eye movement |
| AI Overlay Software (Latvik) | None - Completely invisible |
Real-World Applications
The invisibility of AI overlay software makes it valuable in many scenarios:
- Online exams: Use AI assistance without detection during proctored tests
- Job interviews: Get help answering questions even when screen sharing
- Presentations: Access notes or information while presenting
- Live coding sessions: Get code help during technical interviews
- Certification exams: Access assistance during proctored certifications
Conclusion
AI overlay software like Latvik achieves invisibility through sophisticated rendering techniques that operate at the compositing layer, above the screen capture point. This technical approach ensures that the overlay remains completely undetectable to all forms of screen recording and screen sharing, making it the ideal solution for accessing AI assistance during any screen-shared or recorded session.
The technology has been proven through extensive testing and real-world use, providing users with reliable, undetectable AI assistance when they need it most.