The AI startup ElevenLabs is partnering with a deepfake detection company to address concerns about the potential misuse of its voice cloning technology, particularly in the context of the upcoming US elections.
Key details of the partnership: ElevenLabs is collaborating with Reality Defender, a US-based company specializing in deepfake detection for governments, officials, and enterprises:
- This partnership is part of ElevenLabs’ efforts to enhance safety measures on its platform and prevent the misuse of its AI-powered voice cloning technology.
- The move comes after researchers raised concerns earlier this year about ElevenLabs’ technology being used to create deepfake audio of US President Joe Biden.
Broader context of AI misuse in elections: The partnership highlights the growing concern surrounding the potential misuse of AI technologies, such as deepfakes, to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion, especially during crucial election periods:
- As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, the threat of AI-generated deepfakes being used to create fake content, such as fabricated speeches or statements by candidates, has become a significant concern.
- The collaboration between ElevenLabs and Reality Defender aims to address this issue by combining voice cloning technology with deepfake detection capabilities to help identify and combat the spread of manipulated audio content.
Implications for the AI industry: The partnership between ElevenLabs and Reality Defender underscores the increasing responsibility of AI companies to proactively address the potential misuse of their technologies and implement safety measures:
- As AI technologies become more advanced and accessible, there is a growing need for AI companies to collaborate with organizations specializing in detecting and countering the malicious use of these technologies.
- The ElevenLabs-Reality Defender partnership sets an example for the AI industry, highlighting the importance of proactive measures to ensure the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies, particularly in sensitive contexts such as elections.
Looking ahead: While the partnership between ElevenLabs and Reality Defender is a step in the right direction, the article leaves some questions unanswered about the broader implications and challenges of combating AI misuse in the context of elections:
- It remains to be seen how effective the partnership will be in identifying and preventing the spread of deepfakes, given the rapidly evolving nature of AI technologies and the potential for bad actors to find new ways to circumvent detection methods.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...