Navigating AI's Landscape: How Glasswing AI Palette Guides Startups Beyond Buzzwords

For the past year, the excitement surrounding generative AI has surged, with large language models (LLMs) dominating headlines. However, Rudina Seseri, founder and managing partner of Glasswing Ventures, cautions that while generative AI is valuable, relying solely on it as a flashy front may not create a defensible business model.

Glasswing Ventures has introduced the Glasswing AI Palette to help educate startup founders about the diverse technologies within modern AI and machine learning (ML) and how these tools can address real enterprise challenges.

In 2018, Glasswing raised $112 million to invest in AI startups before the term ChatGPT became widely known. By 2022, the firm secured an additional $158 million to support its mission of advancing data and AI technologies. Early investments include innovative companies like ChaosSearch, FeatureByte, and Causely.

“Everyone is excited about generative AI, and we are too,” Seseri shared with the media. “However, there is so much happening with other techniques.”

Understanding the Glasswing AI Palette

The Glasswing AI Palette serves as a comprehensive framework to help navigate the complex and evolving AI landscape.

Seseri explained that the palette categorizes AI techniques such as transformers, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) according to their data types and applicable use cases. The tool also connects to Glasswing’s ongoing ‘AI Atlas’ project, which offers deeper insights into these techniques and their applications.

While the industry buzzes primarily about generative AI and LLMs, Seseri highlights the broader scope of AI technologies. As an investor, she emphasizes Glasswing's commitment to companies that deliver value in enterprise and security markets.

“AI and generative AI are not the same,” she clarified. “Startups using this framework may discover opportunities beyond API wrappers by applying techniques like CNNs, RNNs, and transformer combinations.”

The Pitfalls of LLM Wrappers

A common trend among startups is creating a wrapper around existing LLMs. Seseri points out that the ChatGPT era has contributed to the widespread adoption of AI among consumers. While this can enhance productivity, she views a wrapper-based approach as unsustainable for building a competitive business.

Glasswing seeks companies that leverage unique algorithms, techniques, and architectures to provide innovative solutions that tackle significant problems, particularly in high-budget enterprise and security sectors.

“We're looking for truly AI-native companies that solve challenges that couldn’t be addressed otherwise,” Seseri noted.