AI Update: AI Prompt Engineering Startup, AI In Video Editing, AI In Restaurants

Revolutionizing AI Prompt Engineering: Vellum.ai Nabs $5 Million in Seed Funding

In the tech world, where every startup claims to be the next big thing, it's refreshing to see a company like Vellum.ai making waves in the industry. This morning, they announced a $5 million seed round, with a hush-hush lead investor and participation from Rebel Fund, Eastlink Capital, Pioneer Fund, Y Combinator, and a few angels. Now, that's a list that would make any tech enthusiast sit up and take notice.

Vellum.ai first caught our attention during Y Combinator’s most recent demo day, and not without reason. Their focus on improving generative AI prompting is a much-needed breath of fresh air in an industry that often seems more focused on reinventing the wheel than on creating new roads. Given the rapid progression of generative AI models and the increasing number of business categories ready to leverage large language models (LLMs), it's clear that Vellum.ai's focus is right on the money.

The market seems to agree. According to CEO and co-founder Akash Sharma, Vellum.ai currently boasts 40 paying customers, with monthly revenue growth of around 25% to 30%. Not bad for a company that was born just this year.

But let's dig a little deeper here. Sharma and his co-founders, Noa Flaherty and Sidd Seethepalli, cut their teeth at Dover, another Y Combinator company. There, they built generative AI applications for tasks like writing recruiting emails and job descriptions. But they quickly realized that they were spending too much time on their prompts and not enough on building for the end user.

Enter Vellum.ai, a company built on the belief that the demand for better generative AI prompting tools is "going to grow exponentially." And they might be onto something. Sharma suggests that the shift to accepting natural language inputs could significantly expand the AI market, making it possible for anyone to become a prompt engineer.

Vellum.ai provides a suite of tools for AI prompters, including the ability to compare model output side-by-side, search for company-specific data to add context to prompts, and version control. The idea is to help companies ensure that their prompts are consistently effective and accurate.

But here's the catch: while it's easy to prototype an LLM-powered application, taking it to production is a different story. Sharma warns of the many edge cases that can lead to "weird results." In other words, if companies want to leverage LLMs effectively, they're going to need more than just a basic understanding of how to use them.

In fact, Sharma likens prompt engineering to natural language programming, arguing that it will require its own tooling framework. And if the enterprise generative AI market grows as expected, there will be plenty of demand for these tools.

Despite declining to share its pricing scheme, it's clear that Vellum.ai is off to a strong start. With a healthy run rate and a rapidly growing market, it seems the sunny days are indeed ahead for this startup. But as always, the proof will be in the pudding. Will Vellum.ai live up to the hype? Only time will tell.

The AI Revolution in Video Editing: A Creative Boom or a Job Killer?

In a world where technology relentlessly pushes the boundaries of creativity, the video editing industry stands on the precipice of transformation. Welcome to the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), where algorithms and machine learning are set to revolutionize the way we edit and create captivating videos.

AI, often seen as the bogeyman lurking in the shadowy corners of our technological future, is now stepping into the spotlight to revolutionize video editing. It promises to automate mundane tasks, intelligently analyze scenes, and even provide personalized editing assistance.

First, let's talk about automation. AI-powered tools can now handle tasks like video stabilization, color correction, and audio enhancement automatically. It's akin to having a dedicated assistant who handles the nitty-gritty details, leaving editors free to focus on the creative aspects of their craft. It sounds like a dream, but will it spell the end of specialist jobs like color grading? Unlikely, but it will surely speed up the process.

AI's intelligent scene analysis is another game-changer. It can identify specific objects, people, or scenes, enabling editors to search and find the exact moments they need quickly. It's like having a search engine within your video footage, revolutionizing how editors navigate and find the perfect shots for their projects.

AI is also pushing the boundaries of visual effects and transitions. With machine learning, AI algorithms can study and learn from vast databases of visual effects, enabling them to generate unique and innovative transitions automatically. It's like having a magician's toolbox at your disposal, filled with endless creative possibilities.

But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of AI's foray into video editing is its ability to provide personalized editing assistance. AI algorithms can learn an editor’s preferences and style by analyzing past work and can suggest edits, recommend suitable transitions, or even predict the pacing and timing of a video based on the editor’s previous projects. It's like having a creative partner who knows your style inside out.

AI also promises real-time feedback and analysis, allowing editors to make instant adjustments and see the impact immediately. Gone are the days of waiting for rendering and exporting to see the result. This iterative process speeds up the editing workflow and enables editors to experiment and refine their vision.

Moreover, AI-powered editing tools streamline collaboration among teams. With cloud-based platforms and AI-driven workflows, multiple editors can work simultaneously on a project, making edits, leaving comments, and even merging their changes effortlessly.

Finally, AI brings the promise of hyper-personalized content. By analyzing viewer preferences, engagement patterns, and demographic data, AI can generate highly targeted and engaging video content. It's like having a personal stylist for your video content, tailoring it to individual viewers' tastes.

As AI continues to evolve, the world of video editing is transforming. But as we embrace the power of AI, we must also grapple with the ethical and societal implications of this technology. Will AI automation lead to job losses in the industry? Or will it simply free up human editors to focus on the creative aspects of their work? Only time will tell.

So, grab your camera, embrace the AI revolution, and get ready to create captivating stories that push the limits of imagination and creativity. Just remember to keep an eye on the AI assistant lurking in the shadows, for it might just be the future of video editing.

AI on the Menu: How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing the Restaurant Industry

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in our daily lives is an undeniable reality. From unlocking our iPhones with facial recognition to the increasingly sophisticated AI systems that power our cars, this technology is becoming an integral part of our world. But how is AI shaping the restaurant industry? Glenn Tait, a product director at hospitality technology company Zonal, offers six ways in which AI is changing the game.

Restaurant Bookings: AI is automating restaurant bookings and responses. Chatbots, powered by AI, can provide customer support, answer frequently asked questions, and facilitate bookings. This not only reduces the workload for staff but also provides 24/7 support to customers.

Stock Management: AI is improving stock management. By analyzing and managing suppliers and stock, AI can forecast, plan, and control stock levels. This can help businesses minimize the possibility of overstocking and understocking, saving them money and reducing waste.

Forward Planning: AI is helping with forward planning. Instead of just analyzing past data, AI can predict future trends and eventualities. This can help restaurant owners make strategic business decisions based on predicted patterns in bookings, weather forecasts, and local events.

Personalizing Experience: AI is hyper-personalizing the customer experience. By analyzing customers’ preferences and past orders, AI can offer personalized recommendations. This can enhance the customer experience and drive return visits and loyalty.

Predictive Maintenance: AI can be used for predictive maintenance. This can help predict equipment failures and prevent downtime, which is particularly important in the hospitality industry where a broken-down payment machine or oven can disrupt operations and cost the business money.

Customer Sentiment: Facial recognition technology could be used in the future to identify customers and their current sentiments. This could offer regular customers something personal, like their favorite drink or table, when they arrive.

AI is not about replacing the human touch in hospitality. Instead, it's about streamlining processes and managing workflows to save staff valuable time and allow them to focus on delivering exceptional customer service. AI is becoming a fundamental part of the hospitality industry, and its influence is set to grow even further in the future.

25+Midjourney Prompts for Mouthwatering Food Photography

This is an incredible collection of prompts and tips if you are interested in food “photography” using Midjourney. Some of the best examples I have seen.