9 May 2023
Under the Radar: Converting limited real data into limitless synthetic data - Betterdata on training AI models; Getting around data-sharing and privacy concerns; Commercialisation of synthetic data; Oversubscribed US$1.7m seed round
Generative AI has been the talk of the town in recent months with the launch of ChatGPT.
But have you ever wondered just how much data is processed for these so-called ‘AI models’ to build up their so-called ‘experience’ and provide us with the answers we want? Plus, how do AI companies get around the issue of data protection worldwide amid rising user awareness on privacy?
Well, one answer to this is the use of synthetic data that mimics real-world data without compromising quality and privacy.
Our guest for today is a Singapore-based startup Betterdata, which converts limited real data into limitless synthetic data.
The company says this is faster and safer than traditional data-sharing methods that use data anonymisation to destroy information and ensure privacy. How does this work and to what extent does it lower the costs of acquiring data to an AI firm?
Meanwhile, Betterdata has raised US$1.7 million in an oversubscribed seed round, where investors included Franklin Templeton Investments and the Singapore University of Technology and Design. But how does it intend to use the money?
On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Kevin Yee, Co-Founder and CTO, as well as Dr Uzair Javaid, Co-Founder and CEO at Betterdata for more.

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