AI for Scaling Startups

In recent years, generative artificial intelligence (AI) has been integrated into various industries such as healthcare, transportation, and finance. The potential benefits of using large language models (LLMs) in business have motivated startups to explore generative AI and its applications. At Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), the Information Technology Entrepreneurship (BS ITE) program has encouraged its students to learn about generative AI and integrate it into their own startups. Despite the challenges, several student startup co-founders from the ITE program have successfully embraced generative AI and created promising ventures like Taikee, Petagon, and DesignScapes.

The Rise of Generative AI

The public release of platforms like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion in late 2022 surprised the world. These platforms were able to overcome computational limitations and offer features such as natural language processing, language generation, and adaptability. Generative AI has also been utilized for image generation in popular sites and editing software like Google’s DeepDream, DALL-E, Photoshop, and Canva. However, understanding the true capabilities of generative AI is still an ongoing process. Researchers have been gradually exploring the possibilities and improving the technology based on user feedback.

Taikee: Personal Finance Management with Generative AI

Taikee is an application developed by Cedric Joshua Atienza (Ceej) and Jose Emmanuel Erestain (JM) of BS ITE Batch ’23. Taikee aims to assist users in managing their personal finances by tracking their income and expenses. The app provides visual reports, personalized insights, and recommendations based on the users’ financial activities. Taikee integrates OpenAI’s GPT-3 davinci LLM, which enhances the app’s natural language processing capabilities and allows for more human-like responses. According to Ceej, AI has not only benefited the technological aspect of their startup but has also significantly reduced production costs.

DesignScapes: Subscription-Based Design Services

DesignScapes, led by CEO and co-founder Gabrielle Anne Uy (Gabbi) of 3 BS ITE, is revolutionizing the design industry by offering subscription-based design services. The startup uses generative AI through diffusion models to generate quick design drafts and improve client-designer communication. Clients are guided through a prompt-based user interface that helps them visualize their design preferences. The AI system creates mood boards and incorporates clients’ style choices to generate cohesive designs. However, optimizing the diffusion models remains a challenge for DesignScapes, and the founders emphasize the importance of effectively communicating with AI to leverage its capabilities.

Petagon: Enhancing Pet Care with AI

Petagon, founded by Dione Gabrielle Gan (Dione) and Justin Luis Uy (Chio) of BS ITE Batch ’23, aims to be an all-in-one platform for pet owners. The startup offers services such as record keeping, vet recommendations, and an AI-powered chatbot named Sumo. Sumo assists users by providing pet care tips and directing them to appropriate veterinary services. Petagon leverages public and private datasets to provide personalized analytics and insights about users’ pets. The founders believe that AI can enhance productivity and unlock new opportunities in the pet care industry.

Embracing AI in Startups

The founders of Taikee, DesignScapes, and Petagon encourage other startups to embrace AI and leverage its potential. However, they emphasize the importance of understanding AI’s use case and not using it solely for marketing purposes. They suggest analyzing the problems and finding the right prompts to embed in the code to efficiently use AI. The integration of AI is inevitable, and startups can transform the industry landscape and revolutionize the market by exploring AI specific to their respective industries.

In conclusion, generative AI presents numerous opportunities for startups to scale and innovate. Startups like Taikee, DesignScapes, and Petagon have successfully integrated generative AI into their operations and offer innovative solutions in their respective industries. By leveraging the capabilities of AI, startups can enhance productivity and provide personalized services to their customers. Embracing AI and continuously improving along with the technology is key to the success of scaling startups.