This January, Forbes once again highlighted the brightest rising stars in consumer technology with its iconic 30 Under 30 list. While accomplished young entrepreneurs across sectors made the 2024 rankings, one key theme emerged – the transformative influence of artificial intelligence (AI). Forbes 30 Under 30 AI honorees featured there are making AI writing assistants, custom investment platforms powered by algorithms, no-code site builders utilizing natural language AI and more.
“We’re seeing AI enable new products, services and even company business models across many consumer tech verticals,” said returning judge Uttara Sivaram, an AI ethics pioneer and 30 Under 30 alumna herself. “Whether improving lifestyle apps or financial planning tools, this new breed of founders have intuitive understandings of how to harness AI at scale.”
So who exactly are these Forbes 30 Under 30 AI trailblazers? And how are they driving innovation? This article explores some of the list’s honorees using machine learning to disrupt established industries.
Democratizing AI Writing Assistants
Among the 2024 AI luminaries are Jason Kuperberg, 27, and Matt Shumer, 23 – college friends turned co-founders of writing productivity startup Otherside AI. Spotting potential in natural language processing, the duo launched one of the first generalized AI writing tools in 2020 dubbed HyperWrite.
Leveraging deep learning and neural networks, HyperWrite allows anyone to simply describe content ideas in conversational text prompts. Sophisticated algorithms behind the scenes then generate entire articles, emails, tweets or essays fitting requested topics and styles.
By abstracting AI complexities into an easy web interface, Otherside AI opened up AI writing capabilities now actively used by nearly 2 million people.
“We wanted to allow everyday creators to benefit from text generating algorithms – students, parents, entrepreneurs alike,” said Kuperberg. “The breadth of content our users have produced with HyperWrite continues to blow our minds.”
Having successfully built one of the largest AI consumer app user bases in just a few years, Otherside AI and its founders joined Forbes 30 Under 30 this year. They now aim to launch Clara – an AI virtual assistant that can automatically accomplish tasks like booking flights upon voice request.
AI Redefining Personal Finance
Other inductees are employing AI to disrupt traditional financial services. Childhood friends turned co-founders Eve Halimi, 27, and Anam Lakhani, 26 created Alinea Invest – an AI-powered investing platform tailored specifically to young, first-time investors.
Without needing prior market knowledge, Alinea Invest users connect bank accounts then receive AI-optimized portfolios personalized to entered risk appetites. Advanced asset allocation algorithms manage investments automatically, even triggering tax-loss harvesting opportunities.
Since launching in 2021, over 200,000 millennials and Gen Zers signed up to let AI handle investing for them. 2023 revenue is projected to hit $1.2 million. Alinea Invest’s early success securing its latest funding round caught judge attention, sealing its founders’ place on 30 Under 30.
“We’re leveraging AI to simplify wealth creation for regular people overlooked by the industry,” said Lakhani. “Everyone deserves transparent, accessible financial tools.”
New Wave of AI Productivity Tools
Rounding out the list are Toronto-based founders Peter Gokhshteyn, 28, and Kevin Michael, 28 – former programmers turned startup leaders. Their company Tempo Labs brink cutting-edge AI advancements into practical productivity use through natural language interfaces.
Tempo Lab’s visual editor allows anyone to describe webpage or mobile app ideas in basic text. AI then instantly generates full functional code ready for launch. Further tailored feedback helps novice developers refine skills.
“Think of Tempo Labs like a figurative bridge connecting human language with raw code,” explained Gokhshteyn. “Our AI handles translation automatically, opening up programming to non-technical users.”
Since debuting last year, over 50,000 apps and sites were built on the platform by students, entrepreneurs and hobbyists alike. Tempo Labs’ novel approach to democratizing coding ability using AI landed its founders a spot on Forbes annual list.
The Next Generation of AI Innovators
From assistive writing tools, to automated finance advisors, to code generation unicorns – AI advancement already links each of these 30 Under 30 listmakers named by Forbes this January.
“This is really just the beginning,” said judge Steve Jang, founder of venture capital firm Kindred Ventures funding multiple AI startups. “As language models and neural networks keep evolving, an entire generation of young founders are finding amazing new applications across industries.”
Whether designing AI for creativity, productivity or accessibility, this vanguard of entrepreneurs proves age is no barrier to shaping technological progress. The 2023 consumer tech 30 Under 30 list sheds light on those individuals fearlessly building companies redefining what’s possible with artificial intelligence.
Honorees overviewed here represent but a sample of those recognized. View the complete rankings at this link to learn about all making this year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
