HeyGen AI video generation

HeyGen is a video-generating platform that converts text-to-video using artificial intelligence and machine learning. 

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Heygen was founded November 2020 in Shenzhen, China, by ex-Snap Inc employee Joshua Xu (徐卓 Xú Zhuō).

In September 2023, the company released 'Video Translate', a language translation tool drawing on OpenAI's GPT-4 large language model, wav2lip-2 lipsyncing and ElevenLabs voice cloning that can convert a user’s recorded video into different languages, including Mandarin, Hindi, and Arabic, clone a speaker’s voice and sync their lips, all in an 'authentic speaking style.' 

HeyGen states it is a member of the Content Authenticity Initiative, which promotes 'authentic storytelling' and 'promotes transparency' in the use of AI.

Risks and harms 🛑

HeyGen products have been used to clone creative artists and influencers without permission, and manipulate public opinion during political elections.

Incidents 🔥

• Al video depicts Indonesian presidential hopeful speaking Arabic

• Ukrainian YouTuber cloned to promote Russia-China relations

• Deepfake news anchor accuses US of Bangladesh election interference

• Taylor Swift speaks in Mandarin deepfake

News, commentary, analysis 🗞️

• https://telblog.unic.ac.cy/2024/01/17/balancing-future-prospects-with-a-fairer-pricing-policy/

• https://www.creativebloq.com/news/ai-john-lennon