For a long time, AI-generated images and video felt like a fun toy. Cool, but not something that would bring value to professional content creators. But now we are at the exciting moment where machine learning tools have the power to unlock more creative ideas.

This week on the podcast, Sarah Guo and Elad Gil talk to Cristobal Valenzuela, a technologist, artist and software developer. He’s also the CEO and co-founder of Runway, a web-based tool that allows creatives to use machine learning to generate and edit video. You've probably already seen Runway's work in action on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and in the feature film Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Show Links:

• Watch Cris Valenzuela’s 2018 thesis presentation at New York University’s ITP program.
• Read how Runway is used on the Late Show and in Everything Everywhere All at Once on the Runway Blog.

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Show Notes: 

[1:50] - Cris’s background and how he doesn’t see barriers between art and machine learning

[6:46] - How Runway works as a tool

[8:36] - The origins and early iterations of Runway

[12:22] - Product sequencing and roadmapping in a fast growing space

[15:43] - Runway as an applied research company

[19:10] - Common pitfalls for founders to avoid

[22:35] - How Runway structures teams for effective collaboration

[24:22] - Learnings from how Runway built Greenscreen product

[28:01] - Building a long-term and sustainable business

[32:34] - Finding Product Market Fit

[36:34] - The influence of AI tools in art as an artistic movement