Categories: Ranks & Reports

Google Buys Twitter-Backed AI Avatar Startup Alter for $100 mn

Tech giant Google has acquired Alter, an artificial intelligence (AI) avatar startup that was working on using AI to generate avatars for social media users and brands to express their virtual identity. According to TechCrunch, Google buys the startup for about $100 million in an effort to improve its content game and compete with TikTok.

Buy Prime Test Series for all Banking, SSC, Insurance & other exams

About Alter:

The U.S. and Czech-headquartered, Alter started as Facemoji, a platform that offered plug-and-play technology for helping game and App developers add avatar systems to their Apps. Among its investors are Play Ventures, Roosh Ventures and Twitter, which invested $3 million in the startup. Later Facemoji rebranded as Alter.

What Has Been Said:

According to several media reports, Google had acquired Alter, an AI Avatar Startup, two months back. However, they have not released any official statement regarding the same yet. Reportedly, some of the top executives of Alter have updated their LinkedIn profiles mentioning their collaboration with Google. However, they have not specifically hinted towards the acquisition. As per several media reports, a Google spokesperson has confirmed the acquisition of Alter by Google but has denied to unveil further details about the financial and transaction details.

Google’s AI Move:

In recent years, Google has been investing heavily in its AI technology. From language learning models to image generators, the company is putting AI at the center of its suite of products. For example, with Search, Google is using AI not only to help people filter out bad results, but also to help those struggling with personal crises.

With its hardware, like the recently released Pixel 7, Google is integrating AI processing cores into the phone’s processor to better help process photos or translate speech. While Google’s social media aspirations fizzled out in 2018, it is finding renewed momentum with YouTube Shorts, the company’s short-form video platform meant to compete with Tik-Tok. It’s possible Google Avatars could integrate with Shorts sometime in the future.

Find More Ranks and Reports Here

Piyush Shukla

Recent Posts

India’s First E-Waste Recycling Park to Rise in Delhi’s Holambi Kalan

In a significant move towards sustainable development and cleaner urban living, the Delhi government has…

1 min ago

SBI Pays ₹8,076.84 Crore Dividend to Government for FY25

In a major boost to the government's non-tax revenue, the State Bank of India (SBI),…

10 mins ago

Nicholas Pooran Retires from International Cricket at 29

In a move that has taken the cricketing world by surprise, Nicholas Pooran, the explosive…

23 mins ago

Thomas Cook Partners with Muthoot Forex to Expand Payment Network

Thomas Cook (India) Limited has joined hands with Muthoot Forex, part of the well-known Muthoot…

27 mins ago

Reserve Bank of India Launches Scheme to Promote Original Hindi Books on Economics, Banking, and Finance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a special scheme to promote original book…

1 hour ago

International Day of Play 2025: Date, Theme, History, and Significance

The International Day of Play is a global celebration that recognizes the vital role of…

1 hour ago