The AI marketplace has experienced significant dynamism, especially following OpenAI's public launch of ChatGPT.
Surveys reveal that enterprises are rapidly evaluating and adopting new AI tools. However, how are these organizations ensuring that the AI solutions they integrate for their employees and customers are reliable, secure, and compliant with relevant regulations?
Are You Ready for AI Agents? Meet Cranium.
Cranium, a New Jersey-based startup incubated by KPMG, unveiled its custom software solution in April 2023. This platform enables enterprises to assess AI security risks and compliance seamlessly within their existing workflows.
“The level of experimentation has skyrocketed,” says Cranium’s founder and CEO Jonathan Dambrot. “Every tech product is either integrating AI or planning to do so within the next six to twelve months. Understanding how AI is being used is crucial.”
Investors are on board; Cranium recently announced a $25 million Series A funding round led by Telstra Ventures, with contributions from KPMG LLP and SYN Ventures, bringing its total funding to $32 million.
Cranium’s Unique Value Proposition
Cranium offers a range of products and services centered on four key goals: discovery, monitoring, transparency, and compliance reporting.
One notable solution is the private AI dashboards, which allow organizations to monitor their AI usage, understand data access, and track data flow within and outside their organization.
“When we evaluate the market, AI governance is particularly intriguing,” Dambrot states. “We see ourselves as a platform that supports this process, asking, ‘How do we provide visibility to AI services?’”
Cranium’s Connectors are secure software tools that monitor real-time AI usage, compatible with major development frameworks such as Azure, AWS Sagemaker, Google Vertex AI, and others.
Another offering, the “AI Card,” launched in summer 2023, enables customers to integrate their AI applications with Cranium’s assessment tools. This generates a detailed file outlining the AI’s value, purpose, data, and governance, which can then be shared with third parties, government agencies, or included on company websites.
Cranium also produces an “AI Maturity Score,” evaluating vulnerabilities within an organization’s AI framework. This score, measured on a scale of 1-100, signifies the maturity and security of their AI stack.
“The Maturity Score helps organizations identify their AI usage and associated risks, which governance and security teams often lack visibility into,” Dambrot explains.
“It's reminiscent of the early 'Bring Your Own Device' days with the iPhone,” he says. Employees often utilize AI tools without management approval, highlighting the need for tracking to ensure compliance and security.
For instance, an employee taking photos of the company's data center and using ChatGPT for advice could present risks that Cranium’s offerings can help manage.
“You don’t know where this data is going or how the models are being trained,” warns Dambrot.
Cranium itself leverages AI and machine learning (ML) to enhance code development, ensuring quality assurance and optimizing various aspects of their operations.
Though still young, Cranium services clients across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, consumer goods, and retail.
What Investors Appreciate About Cranium
Telstra Ventures General Partner Marcus Bartram has expressed strong approval for Cranium’s innovative solutions. “Cranium is at the forefront of AI security and trust software, helping organizations navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape with pioneering products,” he stated.
Having previously supported successful disruptors, Telstra Ventures recently launched its third fund, increasing its management total to $1 billion.
Future Plans for Cranium
The recent funding will support R&D, business expansion, and marketing efforts. Cranium intends to enhance its Enterprise software platform, ensuring organizations maintain a secure and compliant AI/ML environment.
Cranium is also poised to assist clients in adapting to the upcoming EU AI Act, akin to GDPR from a privacy standpoint. Dambrot notes, “We’re developing capabilities to provide enhanced visibility, particularly in a GenAI context."
With AI adoption accelerating, Cranium strives to enable organizations to balance innovation with security. By creating robust solutions centered on trust, visibility, and compliance, Cranium aims to set new industry benchmarks for AI security.
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