- LimeWire has acquired BlueWillowAI, an AI image generation platform, as part of its move into the generative AI sector.
- BlueWillowAI has over 2.3 million active members and will integrate its AI models into LimeWire’s AI Studio, allowing anyone to become a content creator.
- LimeWire’s pivot into AI follows its transition from an NFT marketplace. It aims to supplement human creativity in music and content creation, emphasizing that AI won’t replace artists or real-world experiences like live concerts.
On Wednesday, LimeWire, once known as a peer-to-peer music-sharing platform, announced the acquisition of BlueWillowAI, a popular AI image-generating platform. LimeWire launched LimeWire AI Studio this month, signaling the company’s foray into the expanding generative AI market.
BlueWillow, which launched in January, has over 2.3 million active members and has created over 500 million photographs this year. LimeWire has stated that it intends to include BlueWillow’s proprietary text-to-image and image-to-image AI models into its AI Studio.
Julian Zehetmayr, Co-CEO LimeWire, stated, “Generative AI allows us to take the next evolutionary step with LimeWire: allowing anyone to become a creator; the BlueWillow acquisition and integration of its AI capabilities will help shape the future of content creation and creativity.”
“By incorporating AI-driven image generation, we are providing anyone with the tools to enable them to unleash their creative potential while also democratizing the digital creative space,” Zehetmayr stated.
LimeWire’s most recent plan to revitalize the renowned brand is this foray into artificial intelligence. Last year, LimeWire was revived as an NFT marketplace, backed by Steve Aoki and Deadmau5, before moving to AI last month.
“We are leveraging BlueWillow’s advanced AI capabilities, which have already established themselves as a leading force in the AI content generation sphere,” Zehetmayr explained. “BlueWillow version 4 is the default model in LimeWire AI studio, and we are already working on a version 5 update.”
Marcus Feistl, COO of LimeWire, underlined AI’s importance in enhancing rather than replacing human creativity.
“AI’s main strength in music creation is enhancing the creative process and making it easier. It will not, however, replace any one thing.”
Since the debut of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November, musicians such as Grimes, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Pharrell Williams, and Will.I.AM have experimented using AI to help produce new music, digital avatars, videos, and other media.
Despite the fact that AI is growing in popularity by the day, public anxiety over AI replacing people in the workforce remains high. According to a Pew Research poll of 11,004 U.S. adults, 32% believe AI’s usage in hiring and job assessments will negatively influence the workforce.
LimeWire, on the other hand, is optimistic about making art.
“The LimeWire AI Studio already provides access to a variety of other cutting-edge AI models, such as Stable Diffusion XL and DALL-E 2,” Zehetmayr said. “We will continue to add new models in the [Future], ensuring content creators have the right tools at hand to meet their content creation needs now and in the future.”
