Nvidia-backed startup Synthesia unveils AI avatars that can convey human emotions

Technology
Thursday, April 25th, 2024 2:09 pm EDT

Key Points

  • Expressive Avatars: Synthesia introduced AI-generated digital avatars capable of conveying human emotions using text inputs, aiming to blur the distinction between virtual and real characters while eliminating the need for traditional video production equipment and processes.
  • Wide Adoption: With its technology utilized by over 55,000 businesses, including half of the Fortune 100, Synthesia’s digital avatars are employed for corporate presentations and training videos, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for content creation.
  • Addressing Concerns and Standards: Synthesia addresses concerns over potential misuse of its technology for fake news by requiring publishers to sign up as enterprise customers and subjecting content to moderation. Additionally, the company implements stringent “Know Your Customer” processes akin to banking standards to prevent misuse. As it gears up for global elections, Synthesia implements controls to thwart manipulation attempts and collaborates with the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity to establish standards for AI-generated content authentication, enhancing transparency and trustworthiness in media.

Synthesia, an artificial intelligence firm backed by Nvidia, introduced its latest innovation, “Expressive Avatars,” capable of conveying human emotions through text inputs. These avatars aim to blur the lines between virtual and real characters, eliminating the need for cameras, microphones, actors, and extensive edits in professional video production. Synthesia operates a studio in London, where actors read scripts before a green screen to train the system. In a demonstration, three lines of text representing different emotions were inputted, resulting in the AI-generated actor responding with appropriate tones for each emotion. With over 55,000 businesses, including half of the Fortune 100, utilizing its technology for corporate presentations and training videos, Synthesia has gained significant traction since its founding in 2017. Last year, the company raised $90 million from investors, achieving a valuation of around $1 billion, joining the ranks of Britain’s AI “unicorn” firms. Addressing concerns regarding potential misuse of its technology for fake news, Synthesia ensures content moderation by requiring publishers to sign up as enterprise customers. While pricing for enterprise clients remains undisclosed, the company emphasizes a rigorous “Know Your Customer” process akin to banking standards to prevent misuse. Ahead of global elections, Synthesia implements measures to prevent hostile actors from manipulating outcomes using its platform. Additionally, the company participates in the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, collaborating with other AI firms to establish content credentials and digital watermarking to distinguish AI-generated content from human-made content, enhancing transparency and authenticity in media.

For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/25/nvidia-backed-synthesia-unveils-ai-avatars-that-can-be-generated-from-text.html