OpenOrigins, a blockchain software startup, raises $4.5 million to expand its efforts against deepfakes and ensure content authenticity.
OpenOrigins to Combat Deepfakes
As artificial intelligence advances, distinguishing between authentic and fake content becomes increasingly challenging. The proliferation of deepfakes creates opportunities for companies specializing in AI-generated content identification. One such company, OpenOrigins, aims to address this pressing issue through blockchain technology.
A Commitment to Authenticity
Founded in 2021, OpenOrigins focuses on verifying the authenticity of digital media. Recently, the London-based startup secured $4.5 million in seed funding, led by Galaxy Interactive, to support its global expansion. The company offers newsrooms a solution to verify digital media’s authenticity in real time and retrospectively.
Innovative Verification Technology
OpenOrigins provides a point-of-capture software that can be installed on cameras and smartphones. This technology establishes whether a photo or video is human-made. Additionally, it can analyze extensive archives to validate existing content. All verified information is recorded on the Hyperledger blockchain, ensuring its immutability and authenticity.
Leadership from a Deepfake Pioneer
CEO Manny Ahmed, a former PhD student at Cambridge University, developed one of the earliest deepfake detectors. He soon realized that deepfake creators could exploit detection tools to improve their AI-generated content. Ahmed decided to shift focus, aiming to create infrastructure that confirms content is real rather than just identifying fakes. “What we try to do is not prove whether something is fake, but rather prove what is real,” he stated.
Strategic Partnerships and Global Growth
OpenOrigins collaborates with ITN, a leading U.K. media production company. With the new funding, the company is expanding into international markets, starting with India and the United States. Furthermore, OpenOrigins plans to launch a marketplace that enables newsrooms to license their verified data for AI training effectively.
Securing Internet Integrity
OpenOrigins co-founder Ari Abelson emphasized the importance of maintaining internet integrity. “We’re trying to secure the form of the internet that allows for evidentiary value,” he explained. While the initial focus is on news, the technology is applicable across various industries.
Broader Applications of Technology
Abelson notes that OpenOrigins’ technology can help insurance companies combat fraud and verify the authenticity of dating app profiles and video calls. This broad applicability underscores the technology’s potential to enhance trust in digital interactions.
Addressing Scalability Issues
Many companies, like Verify, utilize blockchain to certify digital content originality. However, Ahmed argues that OpenOrigins addresses a scalability issue that competitors overlook. “We’re the only ones who are trying to do authentication of not just live content but also historical content,” he explained.
Plans for Expansion
The founders intend to use the newly acquired funding to grow their commercial team and expand operations in the United States. “The reason why we’re so focused on securing archives at this point is because there is a limited time window where that is feasible,” Ahmed cautioned. He highlighted the urgency of establishing trust in archives before AI-generated videos become indistinguishable from genuine content.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Content Verification
As AI technology continues to evolve, the challenge of verifying digital content authenticity will only intensify. OpenOrigins is poised to play a critical role in navigating this landscape. With its innovative solutions and recent funding, the company is well-positioned to lead efforts in ensuring the integrity of digital media.
A Call for Action
As the battle against deepfakes escalates, OpenOrigins encourages industries to adopt blockchain technology for verifying content authenticity. Their approach offers a pathway toward a more trustworthy digital environment, essential for the future of media and beyond.
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