Originally aired on September 23, 2023

In this episode of “Edge of AI,” Joris Mollinga, co-founder of DuckDuckGoose, discusses the company’s mission to combat deepfakes and promote trust in the digital age. DuckDuckGoose provides advanced deepfake detection software to distinguish between real and manipulated images and videos. Mollinga emphasizes the importance of responsible AI development and the need for greater awareness of the potential manipulation of digital media. He also shares insights on the future of generative AI, highlights key leaders in the field, and offers tips for using AI effectively and ethically.

The Role of DuckDuckGoose in Combating Deepfakes

• DuckDuckGoose specializes in deepfake detection software to identify and filter out manipulated digital media.
• Their software uses AI to classify images and videos as real or fake, providing insight into the manipulation methods used.
• The company focuses on promoting trust in digital media and aims to expand beyond digital identity verification to other industries such as video conferencing and news media.

The Importance of Explainable AI and Transparency in Training Data

• Mollinga highlights the need for explainable AI, particularly in the context of deepfake detection, to ensure transparency and accountability.
• By allowing users to understand the basis of AI classification decisions, trust in AI systems can be enhanced.
• He emphasizes the significance of addressing bias and ensuring transparency in the training data used for AI models.

Key Leaders and Influencers in AI

• Mollinga mentions several prominent figures in the AI field, including Andrew Ng, Fifi Li, Timnit Gebru, and Mustafa Suleyman.
• These individuals have made significant contributions to the advancement of AI and advocate for ethical practices and responsible AI development.
• Their work serves as inspiration and guidance for those interested in AI and deepfake detection.

Resources for Learning AI and Staying Updated

• Mollinga recommends the book “Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning” by Bishop as a foundational resource for understanding machine learning.
• He suggests following YouTube channels like Yannic Kilcher for insights into academic research papers and the state of the art in machine learning.
• The newsletter “The Sequence” provides updates on investment landscape, software updates, and other AI-related news.
• Zeta Alpha is a platform for searching academic research papers, offering an extensive resource for staying informed in the field.

The Future of Generative AI and Multi-Modal Models

• Mollinga predicts that multi-modal generative AI models, which combine different types of data inputs, will be the next big step in generative AI.
• These models have the potential to create more versatile and sophisticated content, such as video with sound or text-to-image models.
• As the field progresses, the focus on generative AI will expand beyond niche applications to become a feature in many products.

The Challenges of AI Regulation and Governance

• Mollinga acknowledges the challenges of AI regulation, given the rapid pace of technological advancements compared to the slower pace of governmental regulation.
• The potential for misuse of AI, including deepfake technology, highlights the need for governance and responsible AI practices.
• He praises the commitment of some major tech companies to cooperate with legislation and promote transparency and mitigating biases in AI.

00:00 – Introduction: DuckDuckGoose AI Overview

03:20 – Who is Joris Mollinga? Pivoting from aerospace engineering to mastering AI safety

05:36 – DuckDuckGoose’s humble beginnings as a college project

12:39 – What is a Digital ID? How DuckDuckGoose ‘scores’ images and videos

13:58 – What exactly is Generative AI and Machine Learning?

16:45 – Ron and Joris on Open AI’s ChatGPT

18:30 – DuckDuckGoose Demo: See them in action!

22:40 – Joris’ tips on how you can protect yourself from deep fakes

25:56 – Navigating the Truth in the Age of Fake News

27:50 – What’s next for Generative AI and how does DuckDuckGoose plan to adapt?

30:20 – AI Wants To Know: Get to know Joris more!

34:40 – AI Leaders and Influences: Who does Joris look up to in the AI space?

36:10 – AI Resource List: Learn about the Machine Learning ‘Bible’ that helped Joris as a student, his favorite AI YouTuber, and his favorite Sunday newsletter!

38:38 – AI Tips: AI Explainability, Transparency and his reluctance in ‘over-engineering’