In an exclusive interview with Startup77, Tonia Samsonova, founder of exactly.ai, discusses her journey from media entrepreneurship to pioneering AI-driven creativity. Samsonova’s vision for exactly.ai empowers artists like never before, ensuring they retain full ownership while harnessing AI’s potential to enhance their unique artistic expressions. Under her leadership, exactly.ai is reshaping the future of art, bridging technology and creativity to democratize access and foster innovation in the global art community.
What motivated you to transition from journalism and media entrepreneurship to founding exactly.ai? How did your previous experiences influence your decision?
Tonia Samsonova : My transition from journalism and media entrepreneurship to founding exactly.ai was motivated by a combination of frustration and inspiration. In my journalism career, I witnessed firsthand the decline of traditional media due to the rise of big data and the undervaluing of journalistic content. This experience led me to create my first social media platform, “The Question,” which aimed to bridge the gap between experts and the public by generating high-quality, educational content. This venture’s success and subsequent acquisition by Yandex deepened my interest in AI and machine learning, especially in how these technologies could enhance content creation.
After leaving Yandex and spending a period of time on maternity leave, I reflected on my journey and what my next steps would be—it was during this time that I came up with the idea of exactly.ai. My background in journalism and my experience with AI at Yandex significantly influenced my decision, as I saw a unique opportunity to merge technology with creativity, ensuring that artists retain control and ownership over their work while leveraging AI to enhance their artistic production.
exactly.ai focuses on empowering artists with AI tools while ensuring they retain ownership. What inspired you to create a platform specifically for artists, and how does exactly.ai differentiate itself in the AI art space?
Tonia Samsonova : The inspiration for creating a platform specifically for artists came from a desire to challenge the notion that AI could fully replace human creativity. While AI technologies like ChatGPT and DALL-E have made significant strides, they often overlook the unique artistic styles and visions of individual creators. exactly.ai was born out of a need to preserve and amplify these unique styles, allowing artists to train their own AI models.
exactly.ai differentiates itself by putting control back into the hands of artists. Unlike other platforms that use generic AI models, we enable artists to create personalized AI models that reflect their individual artistic vision. This approach not only maintains the integrity of their work but also opens up new avenues for collaboration and revenue generation. Artists can rent out their AI models, creating a new ecosystem where talent and technology seamlessly coalesce, democratizing access to top-tier creative talent.
You mentioned the ethical implications of AI in creative industries. How does exactly.ai address these concerns, particularly regarding copyright and creative ownership?
Tonia Samsonova : exactly.ai addresses these implications by prioritizing copyright and creative ownership. We ensure that artists retain full ownership of their work and the AI models they create. This is achieved through robust legal frameworks and clear terms of service that protect the intellectual property rights of our users.
In addition, our platform is designed with transparency in mind. Artists are fully aware of how their data is used and can control who accesses their AI models. This ethical approach not only protects artists’ rights but also fosters trust and encourages more creators to explore the potential of AI without fear of losing control over their work.
Could you elaborate on how exactly.ai enables artists to train their own personalized AI models? What are the key features that artists find most empowering about your platform?
Tonia Samsonova : exactly.ai enables artists to train their own personalized AI models through an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Artists can upload their work, which the AI then analyzes to learn their unique style. This process is supported by advanced machine learning algorithms that adapt to the nuances of each artist’s techniques and preferences.
Key features that artists find most empowering include the ability to customize and tweak their AI models to ensure fidelity to their artistic vision. Additionally, our platform offers tools for artists to collaborate with others, share their models, and monetize their creations. The ability to control and rent out their AI models opens up new revenue streams and expands their reach, making their art accessible to a broader audience without compromising on quality or ownership.
How does exactly.ai contribute to the democratization of AI in the art world? Are there specific success stories or feedback from artists using your platform that you can share?
Tonia Samsonova : exactly.ai contributes to the democratization of AI in the art world by making advanced AI tools accessible to artists of all levels. Our platform is designed to be user-friendly and affordable, breaking down barriers that often prevent smaller or less tech-savvy artists from leveraging AI in their work.
One of our success stories is from an independent illustrator who used exactly.ai to create a personalized AI model that mirrored her unique style. This allowed her to produce high-quality art more efficiently, leading to an increase in commissions and collaborations. Another artist reported that the platform enabled them to experiment with new styles and techniques, enhancing their creative process and expanding their portfolio.
Considering the rapid evolution of AI technology, what future trends or developments do you foresee in AI-powered art creation, and how is exactly.ai positioned to lead or adapt to these changes?
Tonia Samsonova : In the future, I foresee AI-powered art creation becoming even more integrated into the creative process, with AI serving as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement for human creativity. Developments in AI will likely include more sophisticated models capable of understanding and replicating complex artistic techniques and styles.
exactly.ai is positioned to lead these changes by continuously improving our algorithms and expanding our platform’s capabilities. We ensure we remain at the forefront of AI research by incorporating the latest advancements to enhance our users’ experience.
As a serial entrepreneur and a mother of four, how do you balance your professional commitments with your personal life? What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those interested in blending creativity and technology?
Tonia Samsonova : Balancing professional commitments with personal life is undoubtedly challenging, but it’s about setting priorities and being disciplined with time management. I make it a point to carve out dedicated time for my family and ensure that my work does not encroach on that. It’s also important to delegate and trust your team, allowing you to focus on strategic decisions without getting bogged down in day-to-day operations.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those interested in blending creativity and technology, my advice is to stay curious and never stop learning. The intersection of these fields is constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires continuous education and adaptation. Additionally, surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors and peers who can offer guidance and encouragement. Finally, don’t be afraid to take risks and pursue your passion; innovation often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.
What are your long-term goals for exactly.ai? Are there any upcoming features or expansions that artists and stakeholders can anticipate?
Tonia Samsonova : Our long-term goal for exactly.ai is to become the leading platform for AI-driven art creation, where artists and brands can seamlessly collaborate and innovate. We aim to build a global community of creators who can leverage AI to enhance their work and reach new audiences.
Upcoming features include enhanced collaboration tools that allow artists to work together in real-time, as well as expanded monetization options for their AI models. We are also developing advanced customization features that will give artists even more control over their AI models, enabling them to push the boundaries of their creativity. These expansions will not only enhance the user experience but also solidify exactly.ai’s position as a leader in the AI art space.
In your journey from Russia to London and now as a founder in the tech industry, what have been the most rewarding and challenging aspects, and how have they shaped your entrepreneurial mindset?
Tonia Samsonova : The most rewarding aspect of my journey has been the ability to create and innovate across different fields and cultures. Moving from Russia to London opened up new opportunities and perspectives, allowing me to blend my experiences in journalism, media, and technology. This diverse background has been instrumental in shaping my entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging me to think globally and embrace interdisciplinary approaches.
The most challenging aspect has been navigating the uncertainties and setbacks that come with entrepreneurship. Each challenge, whether it was fundraising difficulties or market skepticism, taught me valuable lessons in resilience and adaptability. These experiences have reinforced the importance of perseverance and continuous learning, qualities that are essential for any entrepreneur. They have also highlighted the significance of building a strong support network and maintaining a clear vision and mission for my ventures.
Through these challenges and rewards, I have learned that success in entrepreneurship is not just about achieving goals but also about the journey and the growth that comes with it.