Galena residents Johnny Stevenson and Hamad Dada are spearheading an innovative project called SoundSafe.ai, aimed at revolutionizing content protection in the face of increasing threats from audio piracy and illicit parody. With backgrounds in the music industry, Stevenson and Dada have witnessed the detrimental impact of audio piracy on labels and artists, motivating them to develop cutting-edge technologies.
The core of their project is an audio watermarking program, which will enable the tracking and monitoring of audio content across distribution channels. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), this watermarking system will remain undetectable to listeners while providing rights holders with a transparent and user-friendly reporting system. Dada describes it as a “fingerprint for sound” that will significantly alter the landscape of rights ownership protection in the record industry.
Building upon this foundation, SoundSafe.ai is also working on a real-time deepfake detection system. Deepfakes involve the creation of fabricated audio and/or video recordings using artificial copies of an individual’s voice or likeness. The proliferation of such content in recent years has prompted public and legislative attention, leading to discussions around regulations concerning AI usage. In collaboration with corporate and governmental partners, SoundSafe.ai aims to develop a software capable of detecting and flagging deepfakes and other artificially generated audio content in real-time. This program could have various applications, including identifying spam callers or warning social media users about fraudulent recordings.
Stevenson emphasizes that both projects are currently in development, with plans to showcase demos by the first quarter of 2025. He acknowledges that their work involves both working with and against AI, highlighting the diverse applications of AI technology and its role in combating misinformation. Dada emphasizes the need to harness AI for positive purposes, as it continues to shape creative avenues while also opening doors for malicious actors.