Factiverse, set to tackle election disinformation

Norwegian Startup, Factiverse, Tackles Election Disinformation

The 2024 U.S. presidential election didn’t just spark debates about candidates; it shone a glaring spotlight on a growing issue, disinformation spreading like wildfire online. 

Topics ranging from public health to climate change and immigration became battlegrounds for fake news and misleading claims. Generative AI tools, which can create deepfakes and fabricate facts in mere seconds, have only fueled the problem.

But one company is stepping up to the plate: Factiverse. This Norwegian startup is determined to combat the chaos with an AI-driven fact-checking tool that promises to restore trust and credibility in the digital world.

What Is Factiverse?

Factiverse is a business-to-business (B2B) platform designed to provide live fact-checking across text, video, and audio. The startup’s mission is simple but ambitious: to save businesses hours of research and protect their reputations from the fallout of false claims.

Unlike large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Factiverse’s technology focuses on information retrieval. Its model is trained using high-quality, credible data from reliable sources rather than the often-unvetted data used by generative AI systems.

Maria Amelie, Factiverse’s CEO and co-founder, explained:

“We train our AI model to intuitively think like someone who has a lot of experience with researching information.”

How Does Factiverse Work?

Factiverse’s model leverages machine learning and natural language processing to identify claims and verify their authenticity in real-time. It scans a wide range of sources, from mainstream search engines like Google to academic papers and AI-powered search tools like You.com.

Here’s what sets Factiverse apart:

  • Credibility Scoring: The tool evaluates the historical credibility of sources, ensuring users see trustworthy information.
  • Comprehensive Data Analysis: It digs deeper than surface-level search results to highlight the most relevant and reliable insights.
  • Multilingual Capability: Factiverse supports fact-checking in 114 languages, outperforming popular LLMs like GPT-4.

Why Businesses Are Paying Attention to Factiverse

Disinformation doesn’t just hurt public discourse; it’s a liability for businesses. False claims can damage reputations, lead to legal challenges, and erode consumer trust. 

Factiverse’s live fact-checking tool offers a proactive solution, making it a valuable asset for industries like media, finance, and more. One of the company’s major achievements includes providing real-time fact-checking during the U.S. presidential debates. 

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Several media partners utilized this service to deliver accurate and timely reporting.

A Startup with Big Ambitions

Despite being in its early stages, Factiverse has already raised $1.45 million in pre-seed funding since its founding in 2020. The company has forged partnerships with prominent media outlets and financial institutions, including one of Norway’s largest banks.

Maria Amelie, a former technology journalist and author, co-founded Factiverse with Vinay Setty, an associate professor in machine learning at the University of Stavanger. Together, they’ve built a model designed to outperform generative AI in identifying and verifying claims.

Factiverse claims an 80% success rate in determining claim veracity, with plans to improve as the company scales globally.

Building Trust in a Distrustful World

Amelie and her team are setting their sights on rapid growth in the U.S., with plans to raise a seed round in 2025. The goal? To become the fastest and most reliable fact-checking platform on the market.

“We are looking for customers and investors who want to invest in trust and credibility,” Amelie said.

Why Fact-Checking Matters More Than Ever

In a world where disinformation can go viral within minutes, tools like Factiverse offer a beacon of hope. By empowering businesses and media outlets to combat false claims effectively, Factiverse is shaping a future where truth prevails over misinformation.

Key Features of Factiverse’s Technology

FeatureBenefit
Real-Time Fact-CheckingInstant analysis of text, video, and audio to verify claims.
Multilingual SupportSupports 114 languages, enabling global reach.
Credibility FocusEvaluates historical reliability of sources for accurate insights.
Business-ReadyDesigned to mitigate reputational and legal risks for organizations.

Could Factiverse Be the End of Disinformation?

While the battle against fake news is far from over, startups like Factiverse prove that technology can be a powerful ally. By prioritizing credibility and empowering users with accurate information, Factiverse is paving the way for a more informed and trustworthy digital landscape.

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