AI Start-up Factiverse Set to Transform Fact-Checking

In an era overwhelmed by information, verifying the accuracy of content has become increasingly challenging. Norwegian start-up Factiverse is stepping in to address this issue with its innovative AI-powered fact-checking tool. Co-founder Maria Amelie explains how this technology is set to transform how companies, journalists, and financial analysts verify factual claims.

The Need for Fact-Checking Tools

Fact-checking has traditionally been a painstaking process, especially when dealing with multilingual content and quantitative data. While large language models (LLMs) have shown potential in speeding up verification tasks, they often lack the precision needed for confirming public statements. Furthermore, privacy concerns surrounding their use remain significant.

Factiverse offers a solution with its patented technology that identifies claims made by public figures and searches for credible sources. By utilizing various techniques, the tool aggregates and summarizes evidence, providing a more reliable alternative to existing LLMs.

How Factiverse Works

Factiverse employs deep learning and automatic language processing, making it less susceptible to the errors commonly associated with generative AI. The technology is built on XLM-RoBERTa LLMs, which have been fine-tuned to focus on complete sentences, referred to as claims. This method allows Factiverse to outperform competitors like Mistral and GPT in identifying check-worthy statements across 140 languages.

When a claim is identified, Factiverse utilizes multiple search engines to investigate it thoroughly, comparing the findings with credible sources. For instance, claims related to climate change are often cross-referenced with reputable publications like The Guardian.

Origins and Market Integration

Factiverse originated from a technology transfer at the University of Stavanger, where Vinay Setty, an associate professor, developed the patented algorithm. Between 2021 and 2023, the team conducted extensive testing in financial and media sectors to refine the tool according to user needs.

Launched in the summer of 2023, Factiverse has already attracted 5,000 users worldwide. The start-up’s API integration is a crucial aspect of their business model, allowing users to access Factiverse’s services seamlessly within their existing content management systems (CMS), thus providing reliable results effortlessly while they write or conduct research.

Target Users: Beyond the Media

Factiverse is designed not only for media professionals but also for financial analysts who require accurate information for decision-making. Journalists can use the tool to fact-check articles, audio, and video content. For example, during election debates, Factiverse can automatically transcribe and verify claims made by political figures.

With platforms like TikTok gaining popularity for political influence, the demand for scalable video fact-checking has never been higher. Factiverse aims to meet this need, ensuring that misinformation does not go unchecked.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

As misinformation continues to proliferate, tools like Factiverse are essential for maintaining accurate and reliable information. Whether you’re a journalist, analyst, or simply someone who values truth, exploring Factiverse’s capabilities could enhance your content verification process. How will you ensure the accuracy of the information you consume and share?