In other tech news, Snap has announced a suite of AI tools for creators at its Snap Partner Summit, AWS is shutting down its AI-powered keyboard experiment DeepComposer, and Snapchat is testing a simplified version of its app. Google plans to flag AI-generated images in search results, and IBM has acquired Kubernetes cost optimization startup Kubecost. Other announcements include the launch of the Epic Games Store on iPad in the EU, the acquisition of AI-powered document platform Evisort by Workday, and the introduction of Teen Accounts by Instagram to protect young users.
Key takeaways:
- Former NFL quarterback and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick has launched an AI startup called Lumi, which aims to help creators take control of their narratives by offering AI tools to write and take ownership of their stories.
- Kaepernick has been angel investing in Silicon Valley startups since 2017 and has more than 50 investments to date. He also founded and runs Kaepernick Media and Kaepernick Publishing, and sits on the board of Medium.
- Lumi is focusing initially on the world of Japanese comic books, or manga, offering tools that use AI to assist storytellers with ideation, writing, and character image generation. The platform also provides non-AI tools such as publishing resources and merchandising assistance.
- Kaepernick will be speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 in San Francisco, where he will discuss his experiences with the media industry, the challenges faced by creators today, and how Lumi is working to empower its storytellers and address biases in AI models.