The AI startup Icon, backed by $9.2 million from Peter Thiel, OpenAI execs, and Ramp, hyped a $39/month tool to let any company churn out slick ad videos.
Now, it’s morphed into a full-service agency charging $1,000–$3,000 monthly for human strategists, copywriters, and editors. So much for the AI revolution — did they just skim some Twitter threads and call it a day?
From AI Dream to Human Crutch
Icon’s original pitch promised an AI-powered ad solution for peanuts, aiming to disrupt the $600 billion ad industry. But the shift to a pricey human-led model suggests the tech couldn’t deliver — or maybe they realized clients wanted a safety net. With a team boasting Google and Tesla alumni, you’d expect more than a rehashed agency play.
Twitter’s Skeptical Roast
Twitter’s buzzing with sarcasm, with users joking that Icon’s “innovation” came from reading a few AI hype threads. The $9.2 million funding might’ve just bought a creative team to fix what the AI botched.
It’s hard not to wonder if this is less a pivot and more a confession that AI alone can’t cut it.
Also read:
- Project Odyssey Season 3: The World’s Largest AI Filmmaking Competition Opens Registration
- ElevenLabs Unveils AI-Powered Music Generator for Video Content
- Customers Know Their Actions Are Valuable and Want to Be Compensated
- Unfiltered AI: Venice Speaks Its Mind Without Restraint
A Dubious Future?
This dual-model — $39 for AI, $1,000+ for humans — smacks of desperation rather than strategy. Backed by big names or not, Icon’s move raises doubts about its tech’s reliability and the startup’s direction. Is it a trailblazer or just another overhyped flop leaning on human talent to survive? Time will tell, but the skepticism’s well-earned.
Author: Slava Vasipenok
Founder and CEO of QUASA (quasa.io) - Daily insights on Web3, AI, Crypto, and Freelance. Stay updated on finance, technology trends, and creator tools - with sources and real value.
Innovative entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in IT, fintech, and blockchain. Specializes in decentralized solutions for freelancing, helping to overcome the barriers of traditional finance, especially in developing regions.
This is not financial or investment advice. Always do your own research (DYOR).
