Kirthiga Reddy is the Co-founder & CEO of Virtualness. She started her career as an engineer at Silicon Graphics. She contributed to the shift to high-performance computing technology and was chair of the Stanford Business School Management Board.

Kirthiga was the first female Investment Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers (SBIA). She holds an MBA from Stanford University and an M.S. in Computer Engineering from Syracuse University. In partnership with Saurabh Doshi (who also held senior roles at Meta for nearly a decade), the two started a startup – Virtualness.

INDIAai interviewed Kirthiga to get her perspective on AI.

Generative AI is transforming various industries. How does Virtualness leverage AI to innovate in the Web3 space, particularly in authentication, engagement, and monetization? 

At Virtualness, we are building the future of verification by harnessing the power of blockchain and GenAI. Our platform enhances authentication and security and delivers a more engaging user experience. On the authentication side, we offer a consumer-grade enterprise product that enables enterprises to design a digital badge using GenAI, add engagement features, and distribute it to a global audience in under a minute. Engagement can range from a personalized video message (created by GenAI) that instantly connects with the community to exclusive rewards like physical products or networking sessions. All these badges can be instantly shared on social media platforms and added to their LinkedIn profiles in just one click. For example Stanford issued blockchain commemoratives for their Stanford GSB Women’s Leadership Conference for all the attendees of the 2024 conference. It also unlocked exclusive videos from the dean, conference attendees, and alums. 

The growing need for verified credentials is a global challenge across all sectors, especially for employers and recruiters. Virtualness offers dynamic “living” certificates that evolve with users' real-time professional progress, ensuring continuous authenticity and transparency. For example, in collaboration with MomRelaunch, we provide:

• Learners with certificates that reflect their real-time progress.
• Adapting to factors like learner status.
• Assessments.
• Course completion pace. 

Our platform allows organizations to authenticate via certificates, issue them permanently and immutably on the blockchain, and facilitate global verification. This innovative approach has opened up new revenue streams for us, as organizations eagerly adopt our technology to recognize and reward their stakeholders in impactful ways. 

With your extensive experience in leading tech companies like Facebook and now Virtualness, how do you foresee AI evolving in the context of consumer engagement and digital experiences? 

AI will continue transforming how we interact with digital platforms and content. Businesses can create more engaging, personalized, and valuable customer experiences by leveraging AI's capabilities. It will enable hyper-personalization and tailor content and recommendations to individual users. At Virtualness, we're at the forefront of leveraging AI to redefine digital experiences. And as AI continues to evolve, we're committed to staying ahead of the curve, harnessing its potential to create even more engaging, personalized, and valuable interactions in the digital world. 

One AI example I appreciated the most at Meta was the Facebook release for the visually impaired. It used AI, image recognition, and text-to-audio technology to describe who is in a photo and what is happening, significantly enhancing the ability of differently abled individuals to communicate and contribute. 

Web3 and AI are often seen as transformative technologies with distinct paths. How do you envision the synergy between AI and blockchain technology in driving the next wave of digital innovation? 

Web3 and AI hold immense potential when they are combined. These combinations create intelligent, adaptive applications that can operate independently and respond to real-time changes. AI can personalize experiences and identify fraudulent activities with Web3 platforms, drawing insights from user behaviour. Meanwhile, a blockchain’s tamper-proof records can ensure the authenticity of credentials and secure safe transactions. This duo of Web3 and AI has the potential to unlock innovative applications like AI-generated, personalized content along with secure blockchain experiences. Blockchain can also be used to watermark AI-generated or modified content. Due to the dynamic nature of these technologies, their convergence has the potential to change and evolve the digital landscape. Soon, we will be using AI and blockchain without knowing about them. 

For example; IBM Food Trust is a blockchain-based platform that enhances transparency, traceability, and safety in the food supply chain. The platform analyzes data by leveraging AI to identify potential issues, predict risks, and automate quality control checks. It ensures consumers can trace their food’s journey, reducing waste and improving safety. 

What are the challenges in maintaining transparency and trust when integrating AI into a Web3 platform? How does Virtualness address these concerns?  

The opaque nature of AI models, often called the "black box" problem, presents a significant challenge in integrating AI into a Web3 platform. While AI can enhance decision-making processes and improve efficiency, the need for more transparency in how AI models arrive at their conclusions can conflict with the decentralized nature of Web3, which emphasizes trust and accountability. 

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach. One key solution is adopting Explainable AI (XAI) techniques, which allow AI decisions to be more interpretable and transparent. In instances where interpretability is critical, more transparent models, such as decision trees or linear models, can be used. Additionally, providing clear documentation and auditing trails for AI models and their updates can help build user confidence by enabling a better understanding of how decisions are made and tracked over time. 

Data privacy is another major issue when integrating AI with Web3 platforms, as both handle sensitive user data. AI introduces additional risks due to its need for large data to train models. Techniques like federated learning and differential privacy can mitigate these risks by ensuring data is processed securely without compromising user privacy. Implementing robust encryption, secure data storage, and conducting regular security audits and penetration testing are critical measures to protect user data. 

Another challenge lies in user education and awareness. Users may need to fully understand the implications of AI-driven decisions or how AI operates within the platform. To address this, platforms can provide clear and concise explanations of AI functionalities and their impacts on users. Educational resources and open communication channels where users can ask questions or express concerns can foster greater trust and transparency. 

By tackling these issues through transparent AI models, robust privacy measures, and user education, we can create a more secure and trustworthy environment while harnessing AI's potential in the Web3 space. 

What strategies does Virtualness employ to ensure that AI-driven solutions are accessible and beneficial to users in regions with less technological infrastructure? 

At Virtualness, we are actively working towards democratizing access to blockchain and GenAI. Virtualness prioritizes AI accessibility through lightweight applications, mobile optimization, AI model optimization, localized support, and user-friendly solutions. The company's diverse technology stack, including cloud infrastructure, programming languages, frameworks, and databases, supports these efforts. By combining technological innovation with strategic initiatives, Virtualness aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure its AI-driven solutions benefit users worldwide.  

Our platform offers a web-2-like user experience, similar to any consumer-grade app, making it easy for users to navigate without needing any prior understanding of blockchain. Our platform creates made-for-you custodial Web3 wallets and features in-app payment options, allowing users to claim and own their digital certificates on the blockchain without dealing with cryptocurrencies. Transactions can be completed using non-crypto payment methods, such as credit cards or local fiat wallets, making it simple for users to take ownership of their achievements. 

This combination of a cutting-edge technology stack and a user-friendly experience positions Virtualness well to meet the evolving needs of our customers while maintaining the highest standards of quality and security. 

How do you think AI will shape the future of digital platforms, particularly in the context of authentication and monetization in Web3?  

As the digitized world advances at an unprecedented rate, integrating AI and Web3 technologies is becoming increasingly prevalent across all industries. Advanced algorithms can enhance authentication by developing fraud detection systems, biometric verification, and real-time identity verification. These advancements in this space will strengthen the security and trust of digital transactions, creating a more secure online environment. Further to this, AI can also revolutionize the monetization model. AI-driven personalized recommendation systems can tailor content and products to users, increasing engagement and conversion rates. It can also optimize advertising strategies, ensuring ads reach the right target audience. As India embraces digital transformation, AI will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the digital landscape. 

Looking ahead, what are the critical AI trends that you believe will drive the next decade of innovation in the tech industry, and how is Virtualness positioning itself to lead in these areas? 

Several key AI trends will shape the next decade of innovation. One of the foremost trends is Explainable AI (XAI), as the demand for transparency, fairness, and accountability increases with AI's integration into society. XAI focuses on creating more interpretable models, allowing users to understand and trust AI decisions. 

In the education and training sector, AI will transform learning by offering personalized instruction and helping learners address individual needs. AI will also support skill development, identify gaps, and recommend tailored programs to enhance workforce capabilities. 

AI in cybersecurity will become increasingly critical as cyber threats become more complex. AI can detect unusual patterns or behaviours in real time, helping to prevent potential cyberattacks and making it a cornerstone for future cybersecurity strategies. 

Lastly, Generative AI (GenAI) will continue to evolve, with models like GANs and transformers driving the creation of highly realistic and diverse content, including images, videos, text, and music. This advancement will significantly impact the entertainment, advertising, and design industries. 

Virtualness is positioning itself to lead in these areas by integrating AI-powered solutions that prioritize transparency, personalization, and advanced automation while leveraging generative AI to create new digital experiences. 

What role does AI play in enhancing user engagement on the Virtualness platform? Can you provide insights into how AI-driven personalization is being implemented? 

AI significantly enhances user engagement on the Virtualness platform by enabling personalized and efficient content creation. Specifically, generative AI is used to: 

• Create custom designs: Users can input prompts to describe their desired design, and AI will generate images that match the description. 
• Personalize content: Users can easily customize the generated designs with text and other elements to create unique awards and certificates. 
• Enable interactive features: The platform offers engagement features like personalized congratulatory messages and exclusive event invites, further enhancing user interaction. 

By leveraging AI, Virtualness empowers users to quickly and easily create personalized, high-quality content, fostering a more engaging and interactive experience.