Fortifying the Future with Deepfake Defense, Fundings: Halcyon, US Positronix, Federated IT
27 November 2024 - A Weekly Publication by New North Ventures
Reality Defender: Reality Defender has partnered with TaskUs, a global digital services provider, to enhance content moderation and contact center security. TaskUs will integrate Reality Defender’s AI tools to detect deepfake audio and video, safeguarding platforms from harmful content and preventing identity fraud.
The collaboration equips TaskUs clients with advanced detection technology and human expertise to combat AI-driven threats. Reality Defender CEO Ben Colman highlighted the growing risks of AI voice impersonation, emphasizing the partnership's role in securing digital communications. With deepfake fraud causing $25 billion in annual losses, this alliance offers a powerful defense against AI-enabled scams and disinformation, strengthening trust and operational efficiency.
At the Web Summit in Lisbon, Ben Colman also highlighted the dangers of AI-driven misinformation, citing a fake Joe Biden robocall during the New Hampshire primary as a stark example. Colman demonstrated how easily AI tools create convincing deepfakes, calling for regulations to ensure platforms protect users from such manipulation.
Panelists noted AI’s role in spreading false narratives, with Sabrina Palme warning that while Europe’s stricter AI laws may hinder innovation, they offer valuable lessons for safeguarding democracy. The discussion emphasized the need for collaboration between industry and government to counter misinformation and rebuild public trust in an evolving media landscape.
Reality Defender also highlighted findings from a new report by S&P Global Market Intelligence that shows deepfakes as a significant and growing threat in fintech and payments, where generative AI tools have enabled fraudsters to scale operations to enterprise levels. Deepfake attacks now challenge biometric and document-based verification systems, threatening key areas like customer onboarding, authentication, and social engineering. Alarmingly, Deloitte reports that 25.9% of organizations experienced deepfake-related fraud in the past year, with expectations of increased attacks. The financial toll is immense, with U.S. adults losing $43 billion to identity theft and fraud in 2023 alone.
The report underscores the urgency for advanced defenses, as deepfake impersonation has already caused substantial losses, such as Arup’s $25 million scam in 2024. While organizations invest in AI-driven detection solutions, like Reality Defender's real-time audio and video deepfake detection, the industry also recognizes the need for heightened employee awareness and robust regulatory compliance. The growing deepfake detection market, projected to expand by 42% annually through 2026, reflects the pressing need for sophisticated countermeasures against this escalating threat.
Check out exciting updates from HawkEye 360, the leader of spectrum-based RF geoanalytics:
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HawkEye 360 CEO recently featured at the Deutsche Bank Global Space Summit.
‘Battle-tested in Ukraine’ — How US Drone Makers Turned Ukraine Into a Tagline to Sell West
At the 70th Association of the United States Army meeting, U.S. weapons manufacturers highlighted their contributions to Ukraine, with drones taking center stage. Companies like Anduril and Skydio aggressively marketed their systems as "battle-tested in Ukraine," often despite limited success on the battlefield. Critics argue that many U.S. drone systems have failed against Russian electronic warfare, while Ukrainian forces increasingly rely on domestically produced drones, which are more affordable and better suited to the front lines.
The high costs and questionable performance of Western drones have led to skepticism about their utility, with Ukraine often receiving them as part of U.S.-funded packages rather than purchasing them directly. This dynamic has spurred a surge in valuations and lobbying efforts by companies like Anduril and Aerovironment, which leverage Ukraine as a testing ground for products and a marketing tool for Western buyers.
The commercialization of Ukraine's war experience raises ethical concerns, with critics pointing out that some manufacturers prioritize lucrative U.S. Department of Defense contracts over genuinely supporting Ukrainian soldiers. While U.S. companies continue to emphasize their presence in Ukraine, the reality on the ground suggests that most drones in use are either Ukrainian-made or imported from China, with U.S. systems often relegated to marketing campaigns rather than effective combat tools.
DIU Selects Anduril to Enable Collaborative Autonomy for Replicator Systems
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) selected Anduril Industries to deliver its Lattice for Mission Autonomy™ software under the Autonomous Collaborative Teaming (ACT) contract. Lattice will coordinate thousands of autonomous systems from the Department of Defense’s Replicator initiative, enabling collaborative operations in disrupted environments. By integrating Anduril and third-party platforms, Lattice supports tasks like target tracking, area search, and strikes, offering scalable, software-driven capabilities.
Anduril has refined Lattice through real-world exercises like the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Integrated Battle Problem and EDGE23, where it seamlessly integrated diverse systems for command and control. Representing a shift to software-defined operations, Lattice emphasizes affordability and scalability. Anduril continues to advance mission autonomy, partnering with government and industry to equip U.S. and allied forces with cutting-edge, software-enabled battle networks.
More links to explore:
The deep tech landscape is on the rise, especially in aerospace and defense.
Cape Launches Secure Cell Phone Service for High-Risk Individuals.
Privacy and Civil Liberties: The Cornerstones of Responsible Technology.
Founded: 2021
Key People: CEO Jon Miller
Elevator Pitch: A cybersecurity platform intended to stop ransomware from impacting enterprise customers.
Funding: The company raised an estimated $115 million of venture funding through a combination of debt and equity on November 25, 2024.
Founded: 2021
Key People: CEO John Baker
Elevator Pitch: A magnetic levitation technology company intended to provide customers with a scalable, adaptable, low-power non-wheeled mobility platform for the movement of cargo, people, and robots.
Funding: The company raised $238,000 of venture funding in the form of SAFE notes from undisclosed investors on November 25, 2024.
Key People: CEO Kyle Bucholz
Founded: 2002
Elevator Pitch: Mission-critical IT and cybersecurity services to the U.S. government.
Funding: The company received an undisclosed amount of development capital from Bridge Defense on November 22, 2024.
Look for a new episode of the Securing the Future Podcast wherever you listen. In our most recent episode, general partner Jeremy Hitchcock sits down with journalist Tim Mak for a powerful discussion on national security, his experiences reporting from Ukraine, and insights from his acclaimed work on the NRA and global conflict.
