Words from the Founder: Learnings from the past three years of AI Hype
We started Future Objects exactly three years ago. The initial idea, “Ad Sherpa,” had been around for a while, but it was in 2022 that we officially began operations. Over the past three years, the AI space has been ever-changing. As the dust from the initial hype settles, I realise that the biggest shift is the increased accessibility of generative AI technology.
The world has been heavily invested in the technology itself, from major players like Nvidia and OpenAI to other “engines” and enablers. During this period, VCs and industry leaders were openly focused on funding companies with big-name CTOs from blue-chip tech firms.
It was clear that for many not fully acquainted with digital evolution and the application of new technology, the potential for a big unicorn exit was the primary motivation. However, we’ve seen the bubble deflate somewhat and the seemingly hyper-speed evolution of the technology slow down. Now, thanks to the likes of DeepSeek and various growing open-source options, the technology is being democratised.
This brings us back to our starting point three years ago: solution orientation. This has been our business, our focus, and our cornerstone from the very beginning.
The Cycle of Technological Revolution
Technology will always evolve. If we look at the major technological revolutions of the past two centuries, they have all followed the same cycle: shock, disruption, acceptance, adaptation, integration, evolution. This was true for the social media boom two decades ago, the dot-com boom three or four decades ago, and the introduction of personal computers, fax machines, and telephones before that.
The technology itself eventually becomes a norm, something we all take for granted as it integrates into our daily lives. What truly matters is the innovation built on top of that technological foundation—the solutions and the application layer.
Our Commitment to Solutions
We have been building on this application layer since the beginning and will continue to do so.
- Media Futura: Our flagship product, Media Futura, was built to address changes in the media and broadcasting industry. We have developed exciting client partnerships and use cases around the world, from AI radio DJs to full TV commercials produced with our tools in Japan. We’ll soon be releasing an update with more exciting functions and the latest generative AI tools.
- AI-Powered Social Listening: We are also releasing our first product focused on web and social media analytics. This AI-powered social listening tool enables a completely new level of user and data interaction. A pilot client case showed a reporting format that used to take several weeks of manual labour was reduced to just one hour of computing, with the entire reporting process automated and analysed by AI. Having spent two decades in the advertising and marketing industry, I have never witnessed anything like it. We are incredibly excited to release this tool.
- Travel Futura: Our Travel Futura solution will be released on a limited beta for select clients from September onwards. This tool was built to be a truly global and engaging travel planning assistant that can also provide personalised information during a trip. It offers a new way to interact with travel attractions at destinations, and we’ve already received very positive feedback from prospective pilot clients around the world.
The Future of AI is in the Application
These are just a few great examples of what AI solution engineering is about and where the industry is heading once we move past the initial symptoms of this technological revolution.
To those who have been part of our journey so far, thank you. Stay tuned for much more.
Taavi Kuisma, PhD
