The fight against deepfakes is getting a second wind as Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy takes the reins of the TrueMedia project. This revival promises to bring renewed vigor to the development and deployment of AI tools designed to detect and combat manipulated media.
TrueMedia, originally founded as a non-profit in Seattle, made significant strides in creating AI-powered solutions to identify deepfakes. The organization gained recognition for its work, attracting attention from major media outlets. However, maintaining the service proved costly, leading to its closure in January 2025 and the subsequent release of its technology as open-source.
Now, Georgetown University is stepping in to breathe new life into TrueMedia. Researchers at the McCourt School of Public Policy will spearhead the continued development of TrueMedia's technology, with plans to bring the platform back online later this year. This transition marks an exciting chapter for the deepfake detection tool, ensuring that its crucial work continues.
Dr. Lisa Singh, director of the McCourt School's Massive Data Institute, emphasized the importance of this initiative. She noted that the current information environment is rife with poor-quality content, including manipulated text, images, and audio. By expanding upon TrueMedia's foundation, Georgetown aims to foster a more informed and resilient digital society.
TrueMedia's previous operations involved a dedicated team of around 15 individuals, including employees, volunteers, and interns. They developed six in-house detection models and collaborated with other AI providers. The organization's non-partisan approach was supported by Uber co-founder Garrett Camp through his Camp.org nonprofit foundation.
Sejin Paik, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown who previously served as a product manager for TrueMedia, will play a key role in leading the development efforts. Paik's deep understanding of TrueMedia's users and features will be invaluable as the project enters its next phase. Oren Etzioni, the University of Washington professor and AI specialist who founded TrueMedia, will serve as an informal advisor, providing guidance and expertise.
The resurgence of TrueMedia comes at a critical time, as the sophistication and prevalence of deepfakes continue to rise. These manipulated media can have serious consequences, from spreading misinformation and influencing elections to damaging reputations and inciting violence. Effective detection tools are essential for mitigating these risks and safeguarding the integrity of the information ecosystem.
TrueMedia's open-source release included several valuable resources for combating deepfakes, such as cutting-edge detection models for images, videos, and audio. The full source code for the TrueMedia platform, including tools for querying multiple models and analyzing results, was also made available. Additionally, the source code for a social media bot designed to detect deepfakes on platforms like X was released, offering possibilities for expansion to other social media networks.
With Georgetown University's commitment and the continued contributions of the open-source community, TrueMedia is poised to make a significant impact in the ongoing battle against deepfakes. The revival of this tool represents a crucial step towards a more transparent and trustworthy digital world.
