The digital age has ushered in an era of unprecedented access to information. Yet, this abundance has also fostered a fertile ground for the proliferation of misinformation and "fake news." The 2024 U.S. presidential election starkly illustrated this phenomenon, with demonstrably false or misleading claims impacting public perception on critical issues ranging from healthcare to immigration. The rise of generative AI, capable of producing realistic deepfakes and fabricating "facts" on the fly, further exacerbates this challenge.
Factiverse, a pioneering Norwegian startup, emerges as a beacon of hope in this complex landscape. Emerging from the 2020 TechCrunch Disrupt Battlefield 200 as the winner in the Security, Privacy, and Social Networking category, Factiverse is determined to combat the disinformation onslaught with a powerful weapon: artificial intelligence.
A B2B Approach to Empowering Credibility
Factiverse's core offering is a business-to-business (B2B) tool designed to provide real-time fact-checking capabilities for text, video, and audio content. This targeted approach empowers businesses to streamline their research processes, mitigate reputational risks associated with misinformation, and safeguard themselves from potential legal liabilities.
Despite being a relatively young company – having secured approximately $1.45 million in pre-seed funding since its inception – Factiverse has already established a foothold in the media and finance sectors. Notably, the company has collaborated with one of Norway's leading banks, demonstrating its practical applications. Maria Amelie, Factiverse's CEO and co-founder, further highlights their contribution by mentioning the company's involvement in live fact-checking during the 2024 U.S. presidential debates, a service utilized by several media outlets.
Beyond Large Language Models: A Data-Driven Alternative
Factiverse deliberately distances itself from the realm of large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4, Mistral 7-b, and GPT-3. Amelie emphasizes that Factiverse employs a distinct model predicated on information retrieval. This model is meticulously trained on a curated dataset of high-quality, credible sources, encompassing verified fact-checking resources from across the globe. This focus on reliable information stands in stark contrast to the "junk food data" that LLMs are often trained on, leading to the generation of fabricated content.
Amelie elaborates on Factiverse's approach, stating that their AI model is designed to "intuitively think like someone who has a lot of experience with researching information." This translates to a model that leverages machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) to efficiently identify potential claims within content. Subsequently, the model delves into real-time web searches, encompassing traditional search engines like Google and Bing, AI-powered alternatives like You.com, and even academic publications.
Prioritizing Credibility over Clickbait
Factiverse goes beyond simply returning the first search results that surface on search engines. Amelie underscores their commitment to offering users a more discerning experience by "proposing the most credible sources" based on the topic at hand. This involves a multi-layered analysis that considers the domain's relevance to the specific subject matter and even the credentials of individuals quoted within articles.
The company's confidence in their technology stems from their claim of outperforming notable LLMs such as GPT-4, Mistral 7-b, and GPT-3 in multiple aspects. These include:
- Claim Identification: Identifying fact-checkable claims within content across 114 languages.
- Veracity Determination: Assessing the truthfulness of identified claims with a reported success rate of approximately 80%. Factiverse is continuously striving to improve this accuracy rate as it expands its global customer base.
Fueling Growth and Building Trust
Factiverse acknowledges that their current funding allows them to strive for excellence, but their ambition extends beyond that. With a planned seed round in 2025, the company seeks to become the fastest-growing player in the fact-checking space. Amelie emphasizes their focus on attracting customers and investors who share their unwavering commitment to fostering trust and credibility in the digital landscape.
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