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Empowering Art: Boosting Public Reach in the Art Sphere

Machine Learning Startup NALA, Born from MIT Coursework, Personally Tailors Art Recommendations, Acting as an Intermediary Between Artists and Art Collectors.

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3 min read
A tech venture named NALA, stemmed from an MIT course initiative, leverages AI to deliver tailored...
A tech venture named NALA, stemmed from an MIT course initiative, leverages AI to deliver tailored art suggestions to art enthusiasts, facilitating a seamless connection between artists and potential buyers.

Empowering Art: Boosting Public Reach in the Art Sphere

In the high-end art world, galleries serve as exclusive gatekeepers, limiting opportunities for emerging artists and allowing some art to remain unnoticed. To shake up this system, enter NALA, a groundbreaking digital platform founded by Benjamin Gulak '22. This project, initially conceived during an MIT class, enables artists to display their work and employs machine learning and data science to offer bespoke recommendations to art aficionados.

By offering a vast art selection to buyers, NALA is breaking down the elitist barriers established by traditional galleries and efficiently connecting creators with collectors. "There's a plethora of untapped talent out there that has never had the chance to emerge beyond their local market," explains Gulak. "We're democratizing the art world, creating a true meritocracy."

Interestingly, Gulak isn't just a tech entrepreneur; he's also an artist at heart. As a teenager, he participated in numerous science fairs and robotic competitions in Canada and even showcased an electric, one-wheeled motorcycle on "Shark Tank," being named one of the top inventions of the year by Popular Science. He later joined MIT in 2009 but left after a short while to focus on his business. After a whirlwind decade filled with over $12 million in funding and thousands of global sales, Gulak returned to MIT to complete his studies, this time majoring in computer science, economics, and data science.

Art has always been a part of Gulak's life, and during the ups and downs of running his company, he found solace in painting. He even participated in a fine arts study abroad program in Italy during high school. Inspired by his personal art experiences, Gulak sought to help other artists find success. Collaborating with prominent galleries in London, Miami, and St. Moritz, he connected emerging artists from countries like Cuba, Egypt, and Brazil to established gallery owners.

Intrigued by the opportunities presented by the archaic art industry, Gulak, during his time at MIT, envisioned a tech-powered solution for the visual arts. Tired of seeing poor art recommendations despite years of account usage on popular art platforms, he set out to build a system that could predict successful art sales based on gallery preferences and art styles.

Today, NALA, an acronym for Networked Artistic Learning Algorithm, offers artists a platform to showcase their work. By filling out a questionnaire about their style and uploading artwork, artists can begin selling immediately. NALA's AI then recommends art to buyers based on style preferences, budget, and other factors. The company handles sales and shipments, ensuring artists receive their list price from every sale.

By foregoing artist commissions, NALA is ardently pro-artist. It also supports art democratization by allowing all artists to participate, a rarity in this sector. The platform is also continually evolving, recently introducing a feature that allows buyers to snap a photo of something they like and locate similar artwork within their database.

A true champion for artists, Gulak has personally worked with numerous artists on his platform, from securing immigration visas to creating art together. "Many people claim they want to help the art world, but they often rely on outdated business models," says Gulak. "Art isn't just a passion for me—it's a way of life. I've been every side of the art world, from creating my own art, to collecting art, and collaborating with incredible artists. I'm leveraging technology to provide artists with unparalleled access to the global market and disrupt the status quo."

  1. In the realm of fashion and beauty, NALA's AI could predict the success of new designs and trends, revolutionizing the industry just as it does in the art world.
  2. Bypassing traditional methods, Gulak's NALA technology could potentially change the way food and drink businesses curate their menus, offering innovative recommendations based on customer preferences.
  3. Home renovation enthusiasts might find a new ally in NALA's AI, suggesting the best furniture and interior designs to suit their lifestyle and home layout.
  4. Imagine a world where travel agents used NALA's AI to create personalized itineraries for clients, recommending destinations, activities, and experiences tailored to their interests.
  5. Cars enthusiasts could benefit from NALA's AI, offering recommendations for the best cars based on personal preferences and budget.
  6. In the realm of lifestyle magazines, NALA's AI could generate articles that resonate with readers, providing recommendations for books, movies, and music.
  7. NALA's AI could be applied to undergraduate and graduate engineering curriculum design, suggesting the most effective ways to structure educational materials and ensure a more engaging learning experience.
  8. By understanding relationships dynamics, NALA's AI could offer advice on improving communication and fostering stronger bonds between partners.
  9. In animal shelters, NALA's AI could help find the perfect match between pets and their future families, taking into account personality traits and living conditions.
  10. In the realm of artificial intelligence research, NALA's technology could serve as a case study for efficient, data-driven systems that democratize access and opportunities.

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