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Synthesia, an artificial intelligence firm backed by Nvidia, has introduced a new generation of AI-generated digital avatars capable of expressing human emotions through text inputs.
The company's latest innovation, called "Expressive Avatars," aims to blur the lines between virtual characters and real humans. By eliminating the need for cameras, microphones, actors, and lengthy editing processes, Synthesia intends to revolutionize professional video production.
Operating from its studio in London, Synthesia trains its system by having actors read scripts in front of a green screen. Using just text inputs, the AI-generated avatars can convey various emotions, adding a new dimension to digital communication.
Synthesia's technology is already in use by over 55,000 businesses, including half of the Fortune 100 companies, for creating digital avatars in corporate presentations and training videos.
Founded in 2017, Synthesia gained significant attention last year when it raised $90 million from investors, achieving a valuation of around $1 billion, and joining the ranks of Britain's AI "unicorn" firms. Investors include Accel, Kleiner Perkins, GV, FirstMark Capital, and MMC.
Addressing concerns about the potential misuse of its technology for creating fake news content, Synthesia requires publishers to sign up as enterprise customers to access synthetic avatars. Additionally, all content created using its technology is vetted by moderators.
While the company does not publicly disclose pricing for its enterprise customers, it ensures the authenticity of its clients through a thorough "Know Your Customer" process, similar to that used in the banking industry.
In preparation for global elections, Synthesia has implemented various controls to prevent its platform from being misused by hostile actors seeking to manipulate election outcomes. Moreover, the company is part of the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, an organization of AI companies working to implement content credentials and digital "watermarking" of AI-generated content to ensure viewers know when they are viewing content created by artificial intelligence.
Synthesia's introduction of "Expressive Avatars" represents a significant step forward in AI-generated digital avatars, allowing them to convey human emotions without the need for cameras or human actors. Despite concerns about potential misuse, Synthesia is taking proactive measures to ensure the responsible use of its technology, including thorough vetting of clients and participation in initiatives to authenticate AI-generated content.
