In the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, one key challenge emerged: the overwhelming spread of disinformation, shaping public perceptions on candidates and important issues such as public health, climate change, and immigration. As generative AI continues to evolve, its ability to produce deepfakes and fabricate information poses an even greater threat to the truth. However, a Norwegian startup, Factiverse, is positioning itself as a critical player in combating this growing crisis.
Factiverse, which participated in the prestigious TechCrunch Disrupt Battlefield 200 in October and won the award for best pitch in the Security, Privacy, and Social Networking category, has developed a business-to-business (B2B) tool for live fact-checking. This innovative tool provides real-time verification for text, video, and audio content, helping businesses quickly confirm the accuracy of information while protecting against reputational risk and legal liabilities.
Founded in 2020, Factiverse has already raised approximately $1.45 million in pre-seed funding and is making strides in the industry. Factiverse’s CEO and co-founder, Maria Amelie, shared that the startup even provided live fact-checking for the U.S. presidential debates, which was utilized by multiple media partners.
Amelie, who is a former technology journalist and published author, explains that Factiverse is not just another language model like others currently on the market. Rather, it employs a distinct model based on information retrieval, differentiating it from AI systems that rely on “junk food data.” Factiverse’s system is specifically trained on high-quality, curated data from credible sources, ensuring more reliable fact-checking.
Working alongside co-founder Vinay Setty, an associate professor in machine learning at the University of Stavanger, Amelie and her team have launched Factiverse with a focus on providing businesses with a vital service in an era of rampant misinformation. While the company is still in its early stages, it is already positioning itself as an essential tool for organizations looking to combat the rise of disinformation and protect their brand integrity.
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