In a significant stride toward enhancing the safety of generative AI systems, Virtue AI has secured $30 million in combined seed and Series A funding. The investment, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Walden Catalyst Ventures, aims to scale Virtue AI’s comprehensive platform designed to mitigate risks associated with AI deployments in critical sectors such as healthcare and finance.
Addressing the Imperative for AI Safety
As generative AI continues to permeate various industries, concerns about its potential risks have escalated. Virtue AI addresses these concerns by offering a unified platform that stress-tests AI models, moderates real-time outputs, and deploys safety-first AI agents. This approach is particularly vital in mission-critical environments where AI errors can lead to significant liabilities.
The platform’s adoption by industry leaders like Intel Corporation, Uber, and Microsoft Research underscores its efficacy in real-world applications. These collaborations highlight Virtue AI’s role in providing robust safety measures for AI systems deployed in complex and sensitive operational contexts.
A Team of Pioneers in AI Research
Virtue AI’s foundation is built upon the expertise of renowned AI researchers:
- Bo Li: Founder & CEO, known for her work in AI robustness and security.
- Dawn Song: Founder & Board Director, a leading figure in AI and cybersecurity.
- Carlos Guestrin: Founder & Chief Scientist, recognized for contributions to machine learning.
- Sanmi Koyejo: Founder & Chief Responsible AI Officer, specializing in responsible AI practices.
Their collective vision is to integrate safety and compliance directly into AI development processes, setting new standards for responsible AI.
Innovative Solutions for Comprehensive AI Safety
Virtue AI’s platform encompasses several key components:
- VirtueRed: An advanced red teaming tool that rigorously tests AI models to identify vulnerabilities.
- VirtueGuard: A suite of customizable, policy-compliant moderation tools for text, image, audio, and video content, ensuring rapid and transparent content moderation.
- VirtueAgent: Safe AI agents designed for deployment in sectors requiring stringent safety and compliance standards, such as finance, healthcare, and education.
These tools are designed to be deployed both on-premises and via API, providing flexibility and scalability to meet diverse organizational needs.
Strategic Growth and Future Outlook
With the recent funding, Virtue AI plans to expand its team from 20 to approximately 50 employees within the year. The focus will be on recruiting talent in business development and machine learning to further enhance the platform’s capabilities.
The company’s commitment to AI safety is further evidenced by its active research initiatives, including the development of safety benchmarks and participation in academic discourse on AI risk assessment.
Source: Virtue AI