Nvidia-backed artificial intelligence firm Synthesia has recently unveiled its “Expressive Avatars”, which are AI-generated digital avatars that can convey human emotions using a user’s text inputs. According to the company, these avatars can blur the lines between the virtual world and real characters, eliminating the need for cameras, microphones, actors, and other costly production processes. Synthesia, which operates a studio in London where actors read scripts in front of a green screen to train the system, showcased the technology by inserting text inputs such as “I am happy. I am sad. I am frustrated” into the platform, which resulted in the AI-generated actor responding with the corresponding emotions. The technology is currently being used by more than 55,000 businesses, including half of the Fortune 100, for corporate presentations and training videos.
Founded in 2017, Synthesia raised $90 million from investors last year at a valuation of around $1 billion, making it one of Britain’s more recent AI “unicorn” firms. Investors include Accel, Kleiner Perkins, GV, FirstMark Capital and MMC. Concerns have been raised about how the company’s technology could be used to create fake news content, but Synthesia has addressed this by requiring publishers to sign up as enterprise customers in order to access its platform. Content created using the technology is also vetted by moderators, and pricing for enterprise customers is not publicly disclosed. In an effort to prevent misuse of its platform, Synthesia mandates that all new clients undergo a thorough “Know Your Customer” process, similar to that used by the banking industry, to prevent bad actors from creating fake company profiles to spread misinformation.
In preparation for global elections, Synthesia has implemented a range of controls to ensure its platform isn’t abused by hostile actors seeking to manipulate the outcome of various votes. The company is also a member of the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, an organization of AI companies aimed at implementing content credentials and digital “watermarking” of AI-generated content to ensure viewers can distinguish between content created by artificial intelligence and content created by humans. This initiative is designed to enhance transparency and authenticity in the digital media landscape. Additionally, Synthesia has pledged to uphold ethical standards in the use of its technology, ensuring that it is not misused for nefarious purposes.
Overall, Synthesia’s Expressive Avatars represent a significant advancement in AI technology, with the potential to revolutionize the video production industry by providing a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional methods. The company’s success in attracting a diverse range of clients, including Fortune 100 companies, highlights the growing demand for AI solutions in the corporate sector. By implementing strict controls and safeguards, Synthesia aims to maintain the integrity of its platform and prevent misuse by malicious actors. As the company continues to innovate and expand its offerings, it will play an important role in shaping the future of digital content creation and ensuring the authenticity of AI-generated media.
