The AI landscape has been exceptionally dynamic, especially in the year since ChatGPT was publicly launched by OpenAI.
Numerous surveys consistently indicate that enterprises are rapidly considering and adopting new AI tools. However, as they do so, there is a critical question: How do they guarantee that the AI solutions they integrate for their workforce and clients operate reliably, securely, and in compliance with relevant rules and regulations within the jurisdictions they operate?
This is where Cranium, a New Jersey-based startup incubated within KPMG, steps in. It emerged from stealth mode in April 2023 and offers a tailored software solution. This solution enables enterprises to assess AI security risks and compliance seamlessly, without disrupting their existing operations.
Jonathan Dambrot, the founder and CEO of Cranium, highlighted the surge in experimentation within the industry, stating, “Every technology product is now incorporating AI, or has plans to do so within the next six to twelve months. Understanding how AI is used has become paramount.”
Investors recognize the significance of this, as Cranium recently announced a $25 million Series A funding round. Telstra Ventures led this round, with participation from KPMG LLP and SYN Ventures, bringing Cranium’s total capital raised to $32 million.
Cranium’s Unique Offerings Cranium offers a range of products and services centered around four key objectives: discovery, monitoring, creating transparency, reporting, and compliance.
One of their solutions is private AI dashboards, enabling customer organizations to track their AI usage and data access, both within and outside the organization. These dashboards provide crucial insights into the usage of AI models and data.
Cranium’s “Connectors” are secure software tools designed to monitor and assess real-time AI usage within client organizations. These Connectors support major AI development environments, including Azure, AWS, Google VertexAI, Databricks, and more.
Another offering, the “AI Card,” introduced in the summer of 2023, allows Cranium’s customers to integrate their AI applications into Cranium’s secure software assessment tools. This generates a comprehensive file containing information about the AI’s value, purpose, data usage, and governance. This AI Card can be shared with third parties, including government agencies, customers, and new clients.
Cranium also calculates an “AI Maturity Score” that assesses the security and maturity of a company’s AI stack. This score helps organizations gain insight into their AI usage and potential risks, providing a crucial perspective often lacking within governance and security teams.
Cranium Uses AI and Machine Learning Cranium leverages AI and machine learning, particularly in code completion and software development, to enhance code development and quality assurance testing. This approach involves integrating AI into the product and harnessing it to improve various aspects of their operations.
Cranium’s Growing Client Base Despite being a relatively young company, Cranium already serves customers from diverse sectors, including health sciences, financial services, consumer packaged goods, and retail.
Why Investors Support Cranium Marcus Bartram, General Partner at Telstra Ventures, expressed strong support for Cranium’s solutions. He commended Cranium for its groundbreaking products and pioneering innovations in the field of AI security and trust software. Telstra Ventures, known for backing disruptive companies, is confident in Cranium’s potential, having previously invested in successful companies like CrowdStrike, DocuSign, and Box.
Cranium’s Future Plans With the newly injected funds, Cranium aims to further its research and development, expand its business, and enhance its marketing efforts. The company’s goal is to provide organizations with a more secure and compliant AI/ML environment through its Enterprise software platform.
Cranium is well-positioned to help its clients adhere to the upcoming EU AI Act and is actively working on enhancing visibility, especially in a GenAI environment. Dambrot likened this to adding brakes to a race car, ensuring that organizations can experiment and innovate while maintaining security.
In a world where AI adoption is on the rise, Cranium is committed to ensuring that organizations do not have to compromise between innovation and security. By focusing on trust, visibility, and compliance, Cranium is setting new industry standards for AI security.