Nvidia-backed AI startup Synthesia now lets you create multilingual presentations from your phone
Nickie Louise
Posted On June 24, 2024
In April, we wrote about Synthesia after the Nvidia-backed AI startup unveiled new emotion-reading AI avatars. Dubbed “Expressive Avatars,” Synthesia’s AI Avatars are designed to bridge the gap between the virtual and real worlds by conveying human emotions through text inputs.
Fast forward two months later, and Synthesia on Monday unveiled a host of new product updates. Among these updates is the ability to create Apple-style key presentations using AI avatars with just a laptop webcam or phone. The Nvidia-backed startup aims to position itself as a comprehensive video production suite for large firms, moving beyond merely offering AI-generated avatars.
The updates include “full body” avatars with hands and arms and a screen recording tool that features an AI avatar guiding users through the content. This suite of new tools marks Synthesia’s shift towards a more all-encompassing video production platform, rather than just a tool for creating AI-generated avatars.
Create Multilingual Video Presentations Using Synthesia AI Avatars
Create Multilingual Video Presentations Using Synthesia AI Avatars
Say goodbye to expensive studios and cue cards. Synthesia, supported by Nvidia, has introduced a feature that allows users to create multilingual video presentations using just a phone or webcam. This innovative tool simplifies the video creation process: record your presentation, and Synthesia’s AI will generate a realistic avatar that lip-syncs your words. You can then choose from over 130 languages for the voiceover, making your presentation a powerful global communication tool.
This development expands Synthesia’s appeal beyond pre-made AI avatars. Businesses can now produce professional presentations in multiple languages, saving time and resources on international communication.
Synthesia, used by nearly half of the Fortune 500, offers AI avatars for various purposes—from tailored training videos to promotional material. Initially, the company aimed to sell its technology to Hollywood agencies and big-budget video production companies, focusing on AI dubbing tools for lifelike mouth movements in different languages.
However, as co-founder and CEO Victor Riparbelli told CNBC, the quality demands in Hollywood were daunting. “What was more interesting was the democratization aspect: millions of people want to make videos but lack the budget,” Riparbelli explained.
In an Apple-style keynote, Riparbelli presented Synthesia’s new products, emphasizing their productivity-focused features for businesses.
Free AI Video Generator
Synthesia isn’t just enhancing Expressive Avatars. The startup is revolutionizing video content creation with its AI Video Generator. This tool transforms text into professional videos using AI, offering an efficient alternative to traditional, labor-intensive video production methods.
With over 55,000 businesses, including half of the Fortune 100, using its technology for corporate presentations and training videos, Synthesia is a major player in the AI landscape.
Synthesia acknowledges the potential misuse of its technology for creating fake news content. To counter this, the company requires publishers to become enterprise customers, ensuring content moderation. It also employs a stringent “Know Your Customer” process, similar to those in the banking industry, to prevent misuse.
As a member of the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, Synthesia promotes transparency in AI-generated content. By implementing content credentials and digital watermarking, the company aims to help viewers distinguish between AI-created and human-produced content.
Founded in 2017, Synthesia raised $90 million last year, reaching a valuation of around $1 billion. Notable investors include Accel, Kleiner Perkins, GV, FirstMark Capital, and MMC.
