The Future of Jobs Report 2020 predicted that AI is expected to replace 85 million jobs worldwide by 2025, but it will also create 97 million new jobs in that same timeframe.
We still have some time to get ready for that shift and future-proof our careers and get new skills, necessary for AI-generated reality. But right now in our everyday life, we can already observe how copywriters, designers, musicians and other specialists have to either compete with machines or befriend them and make a productive team.
One of the rapidly disrupted industries by AI is image creation: myriads of visual tools and AI solutions are emerging every day, changing the industry of photography and letting any individual create a unique perception of themselves.
In the bustling arena of AI startups, where innovation meets opportunity, the Multiverse AI stands as a testament to perseverance, creativity, and the power of simplicity. AI headshot generator The Multiverse AI takes a user’s selfies and transforms them into a professional headshot, using advanced artificial algorithms. Spearheaded by Tanya Van Gastel, the Multiverse AI has carved a niche as the go-to B2B AI headshot solution, boasting an impressive clientele including tech giants like Google, Walmart, McKinsey, and Deloitte.
Crafting a Unique Narrative
Tanya’s journey with the Multiverse AI began with a simple question: How do you market a product on a shoestring budget? With no external funding and a lean team, Tanya and her co-founders embarked on a journey fuelled by innovation and resourcefulness. Leveraging the power of word-of-mouth and the endorsement of industry leaders, Multiverse AI garnered attention and credibility in the competitive AI landscape and grew into a six-figure business.
Tanya’s approach to communication underscores the importance of simplicity. In a world inundated with complex technologies, the Multiverse AI’s message is clear and concise: “We help you and your team look great” or “Get hassle-free headshots.” By focusing on the core value proposition, Tanya ensures that the Multiverse AI remains memorable and accessible to potential clients.
Empowering Users to Create
What sets the Multiverse AI apart is not just its cutting-edge technology, but the transformative impact it has on individuals – a tool that empowers users to take control of their professional image with unparalleled ease and flexibility. Through media exposure and strategic partnerships, Multiverse AI builds trust and credibility, positioning itself as a reliable solution in the competitive AI landscape.
“If you’re a student with no budget, a job seeker looking to present themselves better, a man who doesn’t know how to pose or a woman who struggles with their professional identity, if you’re anyone who’s ever struggled with how to present yourself, and I know I have – being able to have full control over how you are presented, is magic,” – Tanya states.
From Corporate to Startup: A Journey of Resilience
Tanya’s transition from an employee in the EU Chamber of Commerce and tech brand OnePlus to co-founding the Multiverse AI exemplifies resilience and adaptability. Her corporate experience in Shanghai and Shenzhen equipped her with invaluable lessons in marketing, perseverance, and work ethic—skills that proved instrumental in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship in the AI sector.
On the other hand, travelling all around the world, working with Fortune 500 companies, talking every week to the CEOs of giant European multinationals and getting to know them, brought her to understanding the importance of the human touch: “You learn that everyone’s just a person. You can’t have a real conversation with the idea of super senior people, but you can have a conversation with a real person. We all want to have a nice, productive time at work. Ideally with a joke here, a fun conversation there” – she notices.
Building Product vs Attracting Funds
In the rapidly evolving field of AI, staying ahead of the curve is imperative, the Multiverse AI’s commitment to innovation is evident in its continuous updates and enhancements to its AI models. By closely monitoring emerging trends and technologies, the Multiverse AI ensures that its users receive the best possible headshots, tailored to their unique needs and preferences.
“We are constantly thinking of ways we can improve our product. AI headshots aren’t a one-and-done product. Here’s an example: some users upload selfies where their face is barely visible. But then how can the AI learn what their headshot should look like? So then we have to go and figure out, okay – how are we going to get great headshots in less-than-ideal circumstances? How can we add features that improve the user’s outcomes? That’s led to new features like our very own “zoom-out” of your headshot, where users can get a wider headshot. That’s done through a form of AI outpainting where the AI guesses what the photo would look like if it was bigger and fills in the blanks if you will. That’s a different algorithm than an AI headshot generation algorithm. The latter works through creating a custom model of a series of input photos or selfies,” – Tanya explains.
From day one, Tanyas’ team made over 100 updates to the product, and they keep improving it all the time. In her own words, “It’s super interesting because you’re not just working on one model or one solution, but many different ones. They come together to build that perfect photo that people use on LinkedIn, their resume or other channels”.
Quite a risky decision to concentrate on building a product, rather than raising their first round paid off well, according to Tanya’s words: “We asked ourselves if we wanted to move forward with spending 6 months trying to fundraise or 6 months building a product. We chose the latter, and a year later, I’m really happy to say we have built a strong six-figure business. Luckily, our business is growing at a solid clip, with a clear roadmap and expansion plans. We are intent on growing a robust business with solid revenue. To that end, we currently don’t need to actively look for investment, which gives us the luxury of being able to focus on our product and business growth.”
Addressing Challenges, Seizing Opportunities
In the realm of B2B AI applications, Multiverse AI confronts two key challenges: bias and the long tail of AI performance. Through user-centric design, the Multiverse AI navigates these challenges with finesse, empowering users to customize their headshots and mitigate bias effectively.
Tanya Van Gastel shares their solutions: “Consider the concept of a ‘professional woman’. Your biases and background will shape what you think that looks like. Some People across the world may not agree. That’s okay. The point is to create an AI that is biased in the direction we would like: fair. In the context of the Multiverse AI, we’re able to address these challenges in two ways: comprehensive testing is the first. Training your AI model on a much bigger variety of faces, skin colours and more helps a lot. A second is by giving back control to the user. We give our users the option to customize their headshots however they want.”
Finding your path in Tech
As a female leader in the tech industry, Tanya’s advice to aspiring women is simple yet profound: seize the moment and trust your instincts. By embracing authenticity and charting their paths, women can carve out successful careers in AI, entrepreneurship, and tech marketing, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
Tanya shares two tips. “Don’t delay being happy until you make that sale. Don’t delay starting your business. Don’t delay doing that thing you’ve been wanting to do. There will never be a perfect time for anything. Go out and chase the things you want”.
The second is more ironic. “Don’t follow other people’s advice. Everyone has their path for how and where they got somewhere, or how they want to go somewhere. You will find yours in your way. People can give really good advice, but in the end, you will have to go and do the thing. So make sure it’s a thing that feels right with you.” she says.
The success story of the Multiverse AI is a testament to the power of innovation, resilience, and human-centric design. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the Multiverse AI remains at the forefront, shaping the future of visual creation with its transformative solutions.
