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December 16, 2020

By David Griner

Creative Tech Platform Runway Raises $8.5 Million to Make AI Tools More Accessible

We're standing at the doorway of a creative AI revolution. But most of us can't get in.

That's because, while the tools for creating everything from written content to artist-quality visuals are improving by leaps and bounds, few of us can access them. And even if you know where to look, you're not going to find them in one place.

A startup called Runway is aiming to bridge that gap by creating a software package that you can picture as sort of a cross between Adobe Creative Suite and an app store—but for specifically for AI tools.

My colleague Patrick Kulp, Adweek's resident AI expert, has an exciting update today about the project, which raised $8.5 million in funding this week.

There's understandable fear and consternation about what the rise of AI will mean for creative industries, but Patrick's reporting reinforces my hunch that rather than driving creatives out of work, this technology will instead create a new generation of creative tools.

My advice? As these resources become available, avoid the temptation to be dismissive of them. They'll be a bit spotty and ambiguously practical out of the gate, but anyone who's old enough to have used those first generations of Photoshop knows that even the best tools can get off to a clunky start.

If you take the time to become one of the first people in your office (or even industry) to figure these tools out, the AI-powered world could be your oyster.

What's your take on the potential for creative AI? Let me know at the email below or at @Griner on Twitter.

David Griner
Creative and Innovation Editor, Adweek
David.Griner@Adweek.com

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