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Former Snap Researchers Use AI to Develop Next-Generation Avatar Technology

Easel collage

Easel: Revolutionizing Personalized Communication with Generative AI

The Intersection of Social Trends and Generative AI

Easel, a new startup founded by two former employees at Snap, is pushing the boundaries of personal communication by leveraging generative AI to create customized images for users. The company’s innovative app allows individuals to generate images of themselves and their friends doing cool things directly from their favorite iMessage conversations.

A Legacy of Innovation at Snap

The co-founders’ experience at Snap has undoubtedly contributed to Easel’s success. As one of the pioneers in social media, Snap has consistently pushed the limits of what is possible with technology. The company’s legacy of innovation and experimentation has created a fertile ground for entrepreneurs like those behind Easel.

Generative AI: Unlocking New Possibilities

Easel’s core technology relies on generative AI, which enables the creation of new content that is tailored to individual preferences. This capability opens up exciting possibilities for personalized communication, allowing users to express themselves in a more visual and engaging way.

Use Cases and Benefits

The founders have identified two unique use cases for Easel:

  • Comfort with Sharing Faces: A significant demographic finds it uncomfortable to share their faces on social media or in messaging apps. Easel provides an alternative solution by allowing them to communicate visually without revealing their identity.
  • Staying in the Moment: Sometimes, individuals don’t want to capture a moment or pause their activity to take a photo or video. Easel enables users to create visual content after the fact, making it easier to share experiences with friends and family.

Funding and Future Directions

Easel has secured $2.65 million in funding from Unusual Ventures, f7 Ventures, Corazon Capital, and various angel investors, including professors from Stanford University. The startup plans to continue developing its platform, expanding its user base, and exploring new applications for generative AI.

Conclusion

Easel is an exciting example of how generative AI can be harnessed to revolutionize personal communication. By leveraging this technology, the company has created a unique solution that addresses specific needs and preferences of users. As Easel continues to grow and evolve, it will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing conversation about the potential of AI in shaping our digital lives.

Table of Contents

Topics

  • AI avatar
  • Apps
  • Avatar
  • Easel
  • Exclusive
  • Social
  • Startups

About the Author

Romain Dillet is a Senior Reporter at TechCrunch, with over 3,000 articles on technology and tech startups to his name. He has established himself as an influential voice in the European tech scene, covering topics such as privacy, security, fintech, blockchain, mobile, social media, and more.

With twelve years of experience at TechCrunch, Romain is one of the familiar faces of the publication that obsessively covers Silicon Valley and the tech industry. He has written scoops on large acquisitions from Apple, Microsoft, and Snap, among others. When he’s not writing, Romain also develops technology projects himself, giving him a deep understanding of the technical aspects behind the tech stories he reports on.

Romain graduated from Emlyon Business School, a leading French business school focused on entrepreneurship. He has helped various non-profit organizations, such as StartHer and Techfugees, that empower women in technology and displaced individuals with access to technology, respectively.