Invoke AI secures $3.75 million in seed funding

Invoke AI, AI software creators, secure $3.75 million in latest seed funding round

The Atlanta-based enterprise, Invoke AI, known for their pioneering role in generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) software, has just received an investment of 3.75 million dollars in the latest seed funding round.

What is InvokeAI?

Invoke AI is a company specializing in utilizing generative AI to assist in the game development process. They offer a suite of professional AI tools designed to aid game development teams in realizing their visions for new worlds. With Invoke AI, teams can generate new images, characters, and environments easily and efficiently, drawing inspiration from their own sketches, drawings, and concepts.

Part of InvokeAI’s offerings is their open-source platform for image generation with diffusion models. The tool can be downloaded for free and used on almost any type of PC. However, optimal enjoyment of the software is experienced with an NVIDIA graphics card with over 8GB of video RAM. The software can be downloaded here: https://github.com/invoke-ai/InvokeAI

The funding round

Led by Storm Ventures, with additional investments from SignalFire and Universe Software, the funds will significantly contribute to Invoke AI’s ambitions of expanding their support to the dedicated community of architects, graphic designers, game designers, and other creative souls within the open-source software environment.

“It’s been decades since computer automation was introduced in graphic arts and product design, resulting in huge productivity improvements. Today, AI brings the same potential to enhance the creative work of artists and creative professionals,” said Kent Keirsey, CEO of Invoke AI.

Reflection on the success story

As the rise of technology and digitalization accelerates across all industries, Invoke AI has managed to place itself at the forefront of the open-source software industry since its inception in 2022. With over 18,900 stars on Github, the rapidly growing platform comprises professional creators and companies looking to optimize their workflow and enhance creative expression.

Fun fact

Did you know that open-source projects typically don’t spend money on marketing? Instead, they grow with the reclaimed energy from the thousands of developers actively contributing and improving the software.

Creativity on steroids

Invoke AI combines human creativity with artificial intelligence algorithms to push the boundaries of what’s possible. This has led to numerous revolutionary opportunities within art, architectural and game design by completing processes in seconds.

The future for Invoke AI

It’s clear that Invoke AI has big plans. Adhering to a solid mission of empowering artists and revolutionizing the creative process, the company is changing the game on how we think about, collaborate, and create art in software environments.

“We started our project as an open-source tool built to empower creative work rather than undermine it. AI should enhance the humanity found in creative work, and allow people to focus on realizing their vision while the technology helps to reduce the workload.”

We look forward to seeing how this significant investment will help Invoke AI bring their visions to life.

Outsmart Your Competition with Generative AI

Get Ahead of the Curve: AI Starting Kits to Propel Your Business and Your Work!

Hello, I’m Björgvin Gudjónsson, Artificial Intelligence Director at Trueshift AI. As an expert in Generative AI, Design, Marketing, and Advertising, I understand the transformative potential of AI.

But I also know that diving into the world of AI can be daunting. That’s why we have developed our AI Starting Kits.

Why AI?

AI is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s here, and it’s reshaping the way we do business. From automating mundane tasks to providing insights that drive decision-making, AI is giving companies a competitive edge.

But how do you get started?
How do you know if AI is right for your organization?
And how can you learn about AI if you’re already stretched thin?

Introducing the AI Starting Kits

Our AI Starting Kits are designed to answer these questions. They’re a suite of three services that provide a comprehensive introduction to AI, tailored to your needs and schedule.

AI Readiness Assessment: This is your starting point. We’ll evaluate your current digital infrastructure, workflows, and capabilities to determine your readiness for AI integration. We’ll also identify potential areas where AI could be beneficial. For example, a logistics company might use AI to optimize delivery routes, saving time and reducing fuel costs.
Generative AI Workshops: These workshops will demystify AI. We’ll introduce you to the concept of generative AI, its potential applications, and how it can enhance productivity and performance. For instance, a marketing agency could use generative AI to create personalized ad campaigns, improving engagement and ROI.
AI Strategy Development: Once you understand AI and its potential, we’ll help you develop a strategic plan for AI integration. This includes identifying key objectives, potential challenges, and a roadmap for implementation. A retail business, for example, could implement AI to predict sales trends, helping them manage inventory more effectively.

Is AI Right for You?

If you’re unsure whether AI is right for your organization, our AI Starting Kits can help. They’re designed to provide a low-risk introduction to AI, allowing you to explore its potential benefits without a significant upfront investment.

If you’re worried about finding the time to learn about AI, our workshops can be tailored to fit your schedule. And if you’re apprehensive about diving into AI, our approach is designed to be accessible and jargon-free.

“Artificial Intelligence, deep learning, machine learning — whatever you’re doing if you don’t understand it — learn it. Because otherwise you’re going to be a dinosaur within 3 years.” – Mark Cuban

The Future is AI

AI is not just a tool for large corporations. It’s a technology that can benefit businesses of all sizes, in all industries.

By understanding AI and its potential, you can ensure your organization stays competitive in an increasingly digital world.

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If you’re interested in learning more about our AI Starting Kits, feel free to send me a message. Let’s explore the future of business together.

AI is Making Everyone a Designer

Unleashing Creativity: How Generative AI is Revolutionizing Design for Everyone

As an Art Director and Creative Director, I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and creativity. Today, I want to share my thoughts on a groundbreaking development that is reshaping the world of design: Generative AI.

Generative AI, with its ability to create content from simple text prompts, is revolutionizing various design fields, including graphic design, motion design, and web design. The advancements from companies like Adobe, Midjourney, Kaiber, Framer, ElevenLabs, and HeyGen (just to name a few) are not just influencing the design community; they are redefining it.

Take the “deep dive” and try it for yourself

Adobe’s Firefly, for instance, has integrated Generative Fill into Photoshop, allowing users to extend images and add or remove objects effortlessly. This AI-powered tool acts as a creative co-pilot, fostering rapid ideation, exploration, and production. It’s remarkable how we can now generate high-quality content as quickly as we can type a text prompt. Midjourney, on the other hand, is an excellent example of generative AI that creates images based on text prompts. It has become one of the most popular tools for creating AI art, along with Dall-E and Stable Diffusion. Now combine these two and everything can happen… like a new spinoff “Wildlings” from the highly acclaimed “The Last of Us” series!

Playing around with Midjourney and Photoshop Generative Fill

Kaiber, an AI creative lab, has developed a creative platform that uses AI to generate videos and images based on user inputs. With a simple text prompt, you can generate unique assets from scratch. That in combination with Runway and their unique features you can truly make Movie Magic.

Framer’s new AI site generator is another tool that is making waves. It makes it easy to create websites without any coding knowledge. With a great prompt and some customization, you can create a live, responsive, working website for yourself or your company.

HeyGen and ElevenLabs are also contributing significantly to this AI revolution. HeyGen is an AI-powered video generation platform that allows users to create professional business videos easily. Meanwhile, ElevenLabs allows anyone to produce lifelike speech from text using synthetic voices, cloned voices, or completely artificial voices that can be customized according to customer needs.

The combination of these services and SO MANY more can be a powerful way of moving forward. However, it’s important to remember that while these tools are incredibly powerful, they are just that – tools. They are not replacements for creative and skillful designers. Instead, they are resources that can help us push the boundaries of what’s possible in design.

From pencil to AI – Enrich the process by playing around and TEST everything

Join the party

But the impact of generative AI extends beyond the professional design community. By lowering the barriers to entry, it is opening up the world of design to a whole new demographic of creative minds who may not have had the opportunity to express themselves in this way before.

Platforms like Canva and Adobe Express have made design accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skills or background. With their intuitive interfaces and vast libraries of templates, these platforms have empowered millions of people to create stunning designs for their personal projects or businesses. The addition of AI-powered features has further simplified the design process, allowing users to generate professional-quality designs with just a few clicks. Generative AI is essentially acting as a creative partner, providing the tools and resources necessary to bring ideas to life. It’s like having a professional designer by your side, guiding you through the process and helping you create something truly amazing. This is particularly beneficial for those who may have the creative vision but lack the technical skills traditionally required in the design industry.

Moreover, these AI-powered tools are fostering a culture of creativity and innovation. They’re encouraging people to experiment, to take risks, and to express themselves in new and exciting ways. They’re showing us that anyone can be a designer, that everyone has a unique perspective to share, and that creativity is not limited to those with formal training or years of experience.

In essence, generative AI is not just changing the way we create; it’s changing who gets to create. It’s giving a voice to those who may have been silenced by the technical complexities of the design industry. And in doing so, it’s paving the way for a more diverse, inclusive, and innovative future in design.

So…what now?

Generative AI is not here to replace us; it’s here to empower us. It’s here to help us explore new creative territories, to help us bring our wildest ideas to life, and to help us create in ways we never thought possible. But at the end of the day, it’s the human touch, the creative mind, and the skilled hand that will make the difference. The future of design is here, and it’s incredibly exciting. Let’s embrace these new tools, let’s push the boundaries of creativity, and let’s create a future where technology and creativity go hand in hand.

The dawn of generative AI is upon us, and it’s ushering in a new era of design and creativity that is accessible to all…so go and have fun 😉

Björgvin Gudjónsson – Artificial Intelligence Director

Lost in the AI Jungle

Embracing the AI Revolution: A Guide to Navigating the Expanding Universe of AI Tools

Welcome to the exciting, ever-expanding universe of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools! It’s a place where innovation is the norm, and the pace of growth can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. But fear not! With the right approach, this can be a journey of discovery and opportunity. Here’s a little sneak peek into my world and how I go about things.

The AI Explosion

Every day, the AI universe expands with the launch of new tools and services. Websites like FutureTools and FuturePedia are doing a fantastic job of cataloging these innovations, with collections boasting 1900 and 3500+ tools respectively. It’s a clear sign that the AI market is not just growing, but positively booming!

Be Critical and Do Your Research

It’s essential to approach the showcases all these AI companies offer and pop on your feed on different social media plattform with a critical eye. While the demonstrations and descriptions may seem impressive, it’s crucial to try things out for yourself or research different sources before investing. Many of these solutions are still in research mode and are not fully developed. This way, you can avoid disappointment, wasted time, and money on a tool that doesn’t deliver as advertised.

Beware of the Top Lists

Lists that pop up on your feed about the “Top 10 or 20 AI Tools of the Year” should be taken with a grain of salt. The AI landscape changes so rapidly that what’s top-rated one week might be outdated the next.

Finding Your Way

With such a vast array of tools, it can feel like navigating a dense jungle. But don’t worry! Here are some handy tips to help you find your way:

Stay Informed: Keep your finger on the pulse of the latest AI advancements.
Be a Savvy Consumer: Approach showcases and “Top 10” lists with a healthy dose of skepticism. Remember, the best tool for you depends on your specific needs and use case.
Try Before You Buy: Whenever possible, give a tool a test run before investing. It’s the best way to get a feel for what it can really do.
Diversify Your Sources: Don’t rely on just one source of information. Explore different platforms and voices to get a well-rounded view of the AI landscape.

Learning from the Experts

There’s a vibrant community of content creators out there who are passionate about AI. Further down is a little list of treats for you guys that I find interesting, but again do your own research if you want something specific for your needs.

There is an ocean of interesting content out there on AI – Check out some of my favorites!

Websites

There are several websites and online resources that provide up-to-date information on the latest advancements in AI. Here are a few:

MIT Technology Review: This site offers a wide range of articles on the latest technological advancements, including AI. They often feature deep dives into new AI technologies and their implications.
ArXiv.org: This is a repository of scientific papers in various fields, including AI. Many researchers upload their papers here before they’re peer-reviewed, so it’s a great place to find the latest academic research.
AI Alignment (LessWrong): This is a community blog and forum focused on AI safety and alignment research. It’s a good place to find in-depth discussions and articles about the latest ideas in AI safety.
Towards Data Science: This Medium publication features articles on data science, machine learning, and AI. It’s a great resource for both beginners and experts.
Google AI Blog: This is Google’s official blog where they post updates about their latest research and products related to AI. Google Cloud
OpenAI Blog: Similar to Google’s AI blog, OpenAI’s blog is where they share updates about their latest research and advancements in AI. OpenAI
Reddit (Subreddits like r/MachineLearning, r/artificial, r/learnmachinelearning): Reddit is a great place to find communities dedicated to discussing the latest in AI. These subreddits often have discussions on the latest research papers, news, and tools in AI.

Twitter

There are many content creators on Twitter who are passionate about AI and regularly share insights, news, and developments in the field. Here are a few you might want to consider following:

Andrew Ng (@AndrewYNg): Co-founder of Coursera and an Adjunct Professor at Stanford, Andrew Ng is a pioneer in the field of AI and machine learning. He regularly shares insights and news about AI.
Fei-Fei Li (@drfeifei): A Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, Fei-Fei Li is the co-director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. She shares updates about her work and the broader field of AI.
Yann LeCun (@ylecun): A Turing Award laureate and the Chief AI Scientist at Facebook, Yann LeCun is a leading voice in AI and deep learning.
Jeremy Howard (@jeremyphoward): Founder of fast.ai, a research institute dedicated to making deep learning more accessible, Jeremy Howard shares a lot of practical insights and resources about AI.
Kate Crawford (@katecrawford): A Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research and co-founder of the AI Now Institute, Kate Crawford’s work focuses on the social implications of AI.
Andrej Karpathy (@karpathy): Building a kind of JARVIS at OреոΑI. Previously Director of AI at Tesla, Andrej Karpathy shares insights into the practical application of AI in autonomous vehicles and other areas.
Hugo Larochelle (@hugo_larochelle): A researcher at Google Brain and co-organizer of the famous “Learning to Learn” workshop at NIPS, Hugo Larochelle shares a lot of valuable insights into machine learning and AI.

Tik Tok

Here are a few creators on Tik Tok that I follow and who often share about AI, technology, and related topics:

AI Andy – @andyhafell Andy Hafell
Brand Nat | A.I. + Automation – @brandnat Nat Choprasert
AI Learning Lab – @ailearninglab Kyle Shannon
Rachel | The AI Exchange – @the.rachel.woods Rachel Woods
Justin Fineberg – @justinfineberg Justin Fineberg
Riley Brown – @rileybrown.ai
GPT Boss AI developer – @gptboss GPTBoss

Remember, the TikTok algorithm is designed to cater to your interests, so the more you engage with AI-related content, the more such content the platform will recommend to you. This can help you discover new AI-focused content creators.

YouTube

There are many content creators on YouTube who are passionate about AI and regularly share insights, news, and developments in the field. Here are a few you might want to consider following:

Siraj Raval: Siraj Raval’s channel is dedicated to making AI education accessible to everyone. He covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of AI and machine learning to the latest research.
Two Minute Papers: This channel is great for keeping up with the latest research in AI. The host explains complex AI research papers in an easy-to-understand format.
Lex Fridman: Lex Fridman is a researcher at MIT and hosts a popular podcast where he interviews leading figures in AI research. His channel also includes lectures and tutorials on AI and machine learning.
DeepLearning.TV: This channel is all about deep learning, a subfield of AI. It offers a series of videos explaining the basics of deep learning and its applications.
Robert Miles: Robert Miles’ channel focuses on AI safety and ethics. He explains complex topics in a way that’s accessible to a general audience.
Matt Wolfe: Matt Wolfe is a tech enthusiast who shares content related to AI, No-Code tech, and futurism. His videos are informative and engaging, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience.
AI Explained: AI Explained is dedicated to covering the biggest news of the century – the arrival of smarter-than-human AI. The channel discusses what is happening, what might soon happen, and what it means for all of us.
Theoretically Media: Theoretically Media focuses on creative creation through the use of AI tools. The channel provides experiments and tutorials on filmmaking, music, writing, and art, all created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence. It explores the intersection of AI and art, showcasing the potential of AI-generated art to push the boundaries of human creativity.
Obscurious: Obscurious is all about exploring the possibilities of AI. The channel features experiments with AI and shares insights into the potential of this technology.

Embrace the Adventure

Yes, the world of AI tools is growing at an incredible pace. But rather than feeling overwhelmed, let’s embrace the adventure!

With a positive attitude, a thirst for knowledge, and a dash of critical thinking, we can navigate this exciting landscape together.

So, buckle up and enjoy the ride! The AI revolution is here, and it’s a thrilling journey of discovery and opportunity.

Still confused about AI and need some more guidance? Our Generative AI Workshops, a key component of our AI Starting Kits at Tokerød Group, can empower your team with the knowledge they need to thrive in an AI-driven world. Learn how AI can enhance, not replace, your jobs. Interested in learning more? Don’t hesitate to send me a message.

AI in Typography: A Match Made in Hogwarts!

Magic Wands and AI – The Spellbinding Future of Typography

Imagine having a magic wand that could create new content out of thin air. Sounds like a fantasy, right? Well, welcome to the world of Generative AI! This technology is the closest thing we have to a magic wand in the digital realm. It can conjure up anything from images, music, and text to more complex structures like 3D models. And now, this magic is casting its spell on the world of typography.

The Wizards Behind the Magic: Notable Services

Several innovative services are harnessing the power of generative AI to revolutionize typography. Let’s take a magical tour of some of these:

Adobe Firefly: Your Creative Genie

Adobe, a name synonymous with creativity, has unleashed its AI genie named Firefly. This generative AI tool can transform simple text into a variety of forms like images, vectors, videos, and even 3D models. It’s a part of Adobe’s broader initiative, Adobe Sensei, which aims to integrate AI and machine learning into various creative workflows.

With Firefly, you can create stylized text effects from a text prompt. It’s like having a creative co-pilot that takes your ideas and brings them to life in visually stunning ways. It’s not just about creating eye-catching typography; it’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Deep Floyd by Stability AI: The Artistic Alchemist

Deep Floyd is another impressive example of generative AI in typography. It’s a text-to-image model that can generate images based on text prompts. This can include creating images of stylized text in various fonts and designs.

DeepFloyd IF can create different fusion concepts using prompts to arrange texts, styles and spatial relations to suit users’ needs.

Imagine being an alchemist, turning simple text into visual gold. That’s what Deep Floyd offers. It’s a tool that can take your words and turn them into a visual feast, making your typography as unique as your ideas.

Font Generator by Brandmark: The Font Fortune Teller

Brandmark’s Font Generator is an AI tool that generates font combinations from Google fonts for brands. It’s like a fortune teller for your brand’s typography.

You feed it your brand’s personality, and it predicts the perfect font combination to match. It’s a handy tool for designers looking to create unique and cohesive typography for a brand, saving time and ensuring a visually harmonious result.

The Ethical Enchantments: Considerations and Responsibilities

As with any magic, the use of generative AI in image generation and typography comes with its own set of responsibilities. The potential for misuse is a concern. For example, generative AI could be used to create misleading or harmful content.

As wielders of this magic, we must consider the ethical implications and strive to use it responsibly. It’s not just about what we can create, but also about what we should create. Despite the exciting possibilities of generative AI in typography, it’s not without its challenges.

One of the most significant issues is the lack of control and predictability. AI systems can generate unique and creative fonts, but they can also produce results that are inconsistent or aesthetically unpleasing. This is because AI lacks the human designer’s intuitive understanding of good design principles. Furthermore, AI-generated fonts can sometimes infringe on existing font copyrights, raising legal concerns. Lastly, while AI can generate a vast array of fonts, it can struggle to capture the subtle nuances and emotions that a human designer can infuse into their work. Therefore, while generative AI offers exciting new tools for typography, it’s essential to use it as a complement to human creativity, not a replacement.

The Spell on the Design and Marketing Industry

The use of generative AI in typography is casting a powerful spell on the design and marketing industry. It’s enabling designers to create unique and eye-catching typography more efficiently. As a graphic designer and art director, I’ve been fascinated by the potential of these AI tools to create unique and captivating typography. Let’s dive into the world of AI-generated fonts and explore how they are reshaping the landscape of design.

One of the most intriguing developments in this field is the emergence of AI font generators. These tools use artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze existing fonts, learn their characteristics, and generate new fonts based on that knowledge. The result is a wide range of font styles, including script, serif, sans-serif, decorative, and more. The AI font generator can also incorporate specific design elements provided by the user, such as letter shapes, stroke thickness, spacing, and curves. This allows designers, typographers, and individuals in need of custom fonts to create visually appealing typography that captures attention.

For instance, Appy Pie’s AI Font Generator is an innovative platform that combines the power of artificial intelligence with the art of typography, although I’ve not seen it in action. They claim that this advanced tool allows users to customize, create, and captivate with stunning typography like never before. With its AI-driven technology, Appy Pie’s AI Font Generator takes font design to new heights, offering a seamless blend of creativity and innovation. The possibilities for customization are endless with Appy Pie’s AI Font Generator. Whether you’re a graphic designer, content creator, or a business owner aiming to establish a strong brand identity, this platform empowers you to create typography that truly stands out.

Another fascinating example is the AI font project by Picsart. What started as a hackathon project has developed into a collection of AI-generated fonts. The AI technology creates thousands of glyphs, and filters these results based on quality and similarity thresholds. It then converts the glyphs that passed a quality and similarity check to a vectorized image and creates a font file in the most common font file types: .TTF or .OTF. This means the potential for font creation is endless, which is why they are bringing new fonts every month!

The advantages of AI font generators extend beyond their ability to generate stunning fonts. They offer convenience and efficiency, making them particularly valuable for various purposes like branding, advertising, digital content, and personal projects. With AI font generators, designing unique and eye-catching typography becomes accessible to everyone, regardless of their design skills or experience with traditional font creation software.

The Aifont is a system that generates new typefaces. These were generated using a custom DCGAN trained on a large amount of images containing text.

Moreover, these tools are making typography design more accessible. Even those without extensive design experience can use generative AI tools to create professional-quality typography. This democratization of design is opening up new opportunities and driving innovation in the industry.

My Magical Journey

As an Art Director and Graphic Designer, I’ve had the opportunity to explore many of these tools and see their potential firsthand. I’ve found that generative AI can be a powerful tool for enhancing my artwork. I often use it to develop my own artwork or to tweak something from one service in another, creating something entirely new. It’s like having a magic paintbrush that adds a touch of enchantment to everything it touches.

The Future is Magical

Generative AI is opening up exciting new possibilities in typography. It’s enabling designers to create unique and eye-catching typography more efficiently and making typography design more accessible to a wider audience. However, as with any magic, it’s important to use it responsibly and consider the ethical implications. As we continue to explore the potential of generative AI in typography, it’s exciting to imagine what the future holds. It’s a future where creativity is limitless, and the magic of generative AI is at the heart of it all.

So, let’s embrace this magic and create a future that’s as unique and exciting as the typography we create.