19 – 27 Oct 2023
About Slush 2023
Event dates: 30 Nov – 1 Dec 2023
Slush, the premier startup event, convenes in Helsinki every year, uniting global founders, investors, and innovators. As a not-for-profit organisation, Slush is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs to change the world. Beyond its flagship event, its online community and matchmaking platform, Node, extends support beyond the confines of the event, while Slush’D nurtures burgeoning startup ecosystems globally. With a focus on diversity, risk-taking, and addressing pressing challenges, Slush inspires, assists, and connects builders to drive impactful change in the entrepreneurial landscape.
I helped to test out a selection of AI powered professional headshot services for this event.
AI Professional Headshot
Profile Bakery
Profile Bakery is a pioneering image generator, utilising cutting-edge AI to craft captivating portrait photos. Tailored to highlight individuality, their AI-driven portraits blend the expertise of seasoned photographers with advanced technology. Offering a range of services from AI Application Photos to AI Profile Pictures, Profile Bakery delivers professional-grade portraits that capture the essence of each subject affordably and swiftly.
How to use:
Step 1. Upload at least 6 to 15 photos of the person.
Step 2. Upload 1 picture where their face is clearly visible. This will be used as the baseline for their face expression.
Step 3. Choose their gender.
Step 4. Package/extra selection.
Step 5. The pictures will be ready in a few hours (estimated time: 3-4h)
Step 6. Receive the result via email (time taken: < 1h)
Result:
Performance review:
– Most of the faces on the pictures look true, however the hair looks unnatural on some of the pictures.
– It provided multiple styles (hair, clothes, lighting, sizes, etc) and backgrounds, giving the user a good variety to choose from.
– The pictures have high resolution and look realistic.
– Some of the details are not consistent. Eg: skin tone, face shape, eye size, etc.
Further refinement:
If your face does not look 100% like you, they have a new face improvement Tool for free. This tool employs an advanced Machine Learning Technique to examine “Your Picture”. It extracts your facial features from the “Your Picture” learns from them, and positions them within the “Target Picture” section.
Upload a new picture where you like your face. This will be the training face.
Upload a picture you have received from us where you don’t look like yourself.
The face will be modified to look more similar to the training face.
Media.io
Media.io is a similar platform for AI-powered online media processing tools for video, audio, and image.
Result:
Profile Bakery vs Media.io:
1. Processing time
Profile Bakery: 50 minutes
Media.io: 35 minutes
Media.io outperforms Profile Bakery by completing the task 15 minutes faster.
2. Result
Photos generated by Media.io are visually more appealing; however, they exhibit a significant decrease in accuracy when compared to Profile Bakery.
Profile Bakery produces more detailed but slightly unnatural-looking photos.
Media.io, on the other hand, lacks consistency, with many photos failing to resemble the same person.
Overall, Profile Bakery achieves better results in AI face regeneration training.
3. Variety
Profile Bakery offers a more extensive range of options, including clothing, styles, backgrounds, and more.
Media.io restricts users to choosing a single style, limiting variety in the generated photos.
4. Price
Profile Bakery is the pricier option, costing $20 per use.
Media.io is more budget-friendly at a cost of $7.
Considerations
1. Processing time
Research indicates that all AI-generated professional headshot services require a processing time, typically ranging between 0.5 to 4 hours. This is primarily because the AI needs to be trained with the photos uploaded by the user before it can produce new headshots. Consequently, users should not expect instant results.
2. Usability
To utilise the AI headshot service, users are generally required to upload 5 to 15 photos of themselves. Additionally, there are specific requirements for the photos to be considered usable. These prerequisites can make the service less user-friendly and convenient, potentially causing some users to face difficulties in the process.
3. Account & access to result
The method of result delivery varies depending on the service chosen. Users may receive the results either via email, with a Google Drive folder link, or through an account-linked access link. Since this is often a one-time paid service, individual user accounts are not typically available (otherwise the user will have to pay for the service). In cases where the event venue hosts the account and covers the service costs, the results may not be sent directly to individual users, which could lead to a lack of direct access for some attendees.
4. Result
Given that AI headshot technology is still in its relatively early stages, the quality and consistency of the results may not meet all expectations. Even minor variations in quality can potentially have a negative impact on the user experience, not only during this specific activity but also throughout the entire event.
Alternative AI-powered photo opportunity
Draw Me Bot
What is Draw Me Bot?
It is an innovative AI-powered photo opportunity for events, engaging participants in a captivating process that begins with lively photo-taking and culminates in the creation of personalised, AI-enhanced drawings, making it a unique and memorable addition to any occasion.
How does it work?
1. Participants are greeted by lively interactive animations that make the photo-taking process with an iPad engaging and enjoyable. After snapping their photos, they can choose to retake, print, or share them.
2. The real highlight comes when a robotic arm brings these photos to life, creating captivating drawings right before participants’ eyes. This unique drawing experience leaves a lasting impression on attendees.
3. The robot’s AI-based portrait tracing ensures that the final drawing captures the unique characteristics of each individual, making it a cherished memento or a special event or occasion. Additionally, participants can receive printed and shared copies of their original photo, making it a memorable and shareable experience for all event attendees.
Why is it suitable for the event?
1. User enjoyment:
Draw Me Bot combines AI technology with an interactive experience, making it a unique and engaging activity for event participants. The process of watching AI-powered robotic arms bring drawings to life, line by line, is both mesmerising and highly enjoyable, creating lasting memories for attendees.
2. Speed:
Draw Me Bot’s AI-enhanced drawing process is optimised for both user satisfaction and operational efficiency. The AI ensures that drawings are completed with the right balance of detail in an average of 40 seconds per drawing. This not only captures facial resemblance but also allows participants to fully enjoy the drawing process without causing delays.
3. Feasibility:
Draw Me Bot offers quick and easy setup, with a single person able to assemble the station in minutes. Its scalability is enhanced by AI-driven software that automatically adjusts the operation based on the number of robotic arms connected, catering to both small and large events. Draw ME Bot operates with low-cost consumables, requiring only simple markers and plain 300-gram paper, both of which are included with the purchase. This approach not only reduces overall event costs but also maximises profit potential, making Draw Me Bot a practical and cost-efficient choice for event planners and organisers.