FaiBLE Media Inc., a new Silicon Valley venture, has been established by Oscar-winning technologist Mark Sagar and award-winning producer Sharad Devarajan. This innovative company is set to revolutionize narrative development by merging artificial intelligence with creative expression, with its official debut scheduled for January 16 at the AETHER Summit in Singapore. The founders envision FaiBLE as a pioneer in uncovering the underlying mechanisms that make stories impactful, much like scientific discoveries reveal fundamental truths.
Based in Palo Alto, FaiBLE brings together a unique blend of expertise. Sharad Devarajan, recognized for his work as a creator and producer, takes on the role of CEO. Mark Sagar, a two-time Academy Award recipient for his scientific and technical achievements, serves as the Chief AI Officer. Sagar's contributions to cinematic technology include developing groundbreaking facial animation systems for blockbuster films such as "King Kong" and "Avatar."
At the core of FaiBLE's mission is a deep dive into the foundational elements that drive narrative resonance with audiences. The company is committed to building innovative tools and experiences informed by these insights. They liken their long-term research endeavor to "The AlphaFold of Storytelling," referencing how AlphaFold's success in decoding protein-folding patterns unveiled hidden biological structures. FaiBLE aims to achieve a similar breakthrough in understanding the architecture of compelling narratives.
Devarajan, who also teaches a course on AI and disruptive technologies at Columbia Business School, emphasizes the historical significance of such an undertaking. He notes that humanity has rarely stumbled upon foundational creative scientific discoveries over centuries. From musical scales to the concept of the Hero's Journey, great creators have always sought to understand the science behind their craft. Devarajan believes that AI now offers an unprecedented opportunity to intentionally discover these principles, rather than relying on chance, thereby ushering in a new era of creative renaissance.
Sagar, known for his pioneering work on AI-driven virtual beings, including the Baby X project which explored neural system models for autonomous animated agents, echoed this sentiment. He states that the convergence of AI and storytelling represents an exciting frontier in both technology and art. FaiBLE will investigate the most effective ways stories convey meaning, evoke emotions, and achieve timelessness. These are not merely artistic questions, but scientific ones, and AI provides unparalleled tools for exploration.
A significant area of focus for FaiBLE is the development of "Quantum Stories." This technology aims to create dynamic narrative worlds, moving beyond fixed linear storylines. The platform will empower audiences to navigate unique narrative paths, exploring different characters, timelines, and perspectives while AI ensures consistency and canonical integrity across all experiences. This marks a fundamental shift from traditional media, where canon is static and top-down authored, to a living, continuously expanding narrative that remains internally coherent.
FaiBLE identifies regions such as India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America as prime environments for these novel storytelling formats. These regions are characterized by rich narrative traditions, vast audiences, and a strong openness to innovative mediums. Devarajan underscores that the next generation of iconic story experiences will emerge from creators who are willing to experiment, innovate, and push boundaries, a spirit that is central to FaiBLE's philosophy. The company, initially incubated at Graphic India, maintains strong creative and production ties across global markets and is actively recruiting a multidisciplinary team of experts in storytelling, animation, technology, and AI research.