UNITED KINGDOM — In a groundbreaking feat, Prolific, a renowned specialist in artificial intelligence (AI) training, has successfully secured £25 million (US$32.5 million) in a Series A funding round, with Partech and Oxford Science Enterprises leading the way.
According to Phelim Bradley, the visionary CEO of Prolific, the company’s innovative approach to data acquisition from human sources aims to enhance the accountability and diminish bias within AI systems.
With this newfound funding, Prolific is set to expand its presence in the ever-evolving AI industry, particularly in the United States, fortifying its commitment to the development of human-guided AI during this pivotal technological era.
The company, known for its innovative solutions, seeks to redefine the research landscape by providing a seamless and equitable gateway to verified and fairly compensated participants.
With the aim of transforming the very essence of research, Prolific emerged in 2014 out of frustration with the arduous process of finding reliable and authentic participants for online studies.
Recognizing the limitations of existing tools, which were slow, expensive, and prone to inaccurate representations, Prolific set out on a mission to revolutionize the industry.
At the heart of this UK-based start-up lies a state-of-the-art research infrastructure that leverages technology to streamline the sourcing, pre-screening, vetting, and compensation processes for research participants. This comprehensive framework also seamlessly integrates essential research tools.
Today, the company stands tall, providing access to a vast pool of over 120,000 active participants, facilitating the swift gathering of insights from diverse and specialized groups.
Remarkably, Prolific has already disbursed over US$100 million in compensation to these valued contributors.
As the proliferation of AI models and applications continues at an unprecedented pace, the significance of the data employed to train and construct these systems becomes paramount, giving rise to pressing concerns surrounding accuracy, bias, and copyright.
Acknowledging this pivotal challenge, Prolific’s platform serves as a bridge, connecting AI developers with engaged and verified human participants, avoiding the use of bots.
This strategic approach empowers developers to refine and enhance their AI applications, addressing the prevailing issues of inaccuracy, bias, and copyright infringement.
Prolific’s unwavering commitment to upholding ethical standards and promoting accountability in AI systems has earned the trust of esteemed entities such as Google, Stanford University, the University of Oxford, King’s College London, and the European Commission.
Testament to its effectiveness, over 22,000 researchers have actively participated on Prolific’s platform in the past year alone, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the industry.
With the newly acquired funds, Prolific is poised to expand its suite of AI offerings, including the establishment of highly specialized research groups that will further elevate the quality and impact of its solutions.
Moreover, the company aims to strengthen its presence in the United States, where a significant portion of its client base is situated, ensuring that its transformative contributions continue to shape the future of AI research on a global scale.
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