Exploring the Future of Art with Benjamin Benichou: A Journey Through AI and Creativity

Ageless Galaxy had the privilege of diving into the mind of Benjamin Benichou, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Drop, a leading social commerce platform. Hailing from the south of France, Benny has built an impressive career in the digital space, pioneering the use of Generative AI in art. His journey from Paris to Los Angeles is a testament to his innovative spirit and dedication to pushing artistic boundaries. Join us as we uncover Benjamin's daily routine, his inspirations, and the transformative power of AI in the creative industry.

From France to LA: A Day in the Life

Q: Tell us a bit more about yourself. What does your daily routine look like?

Benny: I’m Benjamin Benichou, originally from the south of France. I launched my career in Paris, running a media brand and agency, Be Street. In 2014, I moved to Los Angeles to develop various ventures, the latest being Drop, a tech startup enabling direct sales through social media interactions.

My day typically starts with breakfast with my family, followed by early Zoom calls and meetings due to time differences with France, where many of my clients and team members are based.

Creatively, I've compartmentalized my personal art from our AI studio, which caters to brands at the intersection of content creation and technology. Evenings are family time, often taking my son to the skatepark, and nights are for crafting content for my social channels.

Embracing Generative AI in Art

Q: What inspired you to use Generative AI to make art?

Benny: I’ve been a tech enthusiast since getting my first computer at 11 years old. Initially, using AI was a creative outlet that fit my busy schedule as CEO. It has evolved into a dedicated space for making art free from commercial pressures. I identify more as a visual artist using AI, rather than an "AI artist."

The Creative Process: From Concept to Creation

Q: Could you tell us more about the process when creating one of your works from start to finish?

Benny: It all starts with an idea, which I first test with Midjourney to see if it sparks something intriguing. Unlike traditional research, AI lets me generate content immediately. Most ideas might not pan out, but the ones that do are developed further using various tools and software to refine and animate them.

I’m focusing more on bringing pieces to life in forms like sculptures,
ceramics, or paintings, while exploring AI models to optimize turning 2D concepts into 3D renders.

Crafting the Perfect Prompt

Q: Tell us more about how you train the AI and what makes a good prompt?

Benny: A good prompt should be simple, clear, and effectively describe your vision for text-to-image generation. I’ve just launched an online course to help creatives excel at this. Understanding tools like StableDiffusion and ComfyUI greatly enhances the control creatives have over their work.

Navigating the Benefits and Challenges of AI Art

Q: What are the benefits and challenges of using Generative AI in visual art?

Benny: The primary challenge is maintaining consistency and managing the
trial-and-error process. The main benefit is expanding your creative capabilities beyond your formal training, providing artists and creatives with new opportunities.

Collaborating with PSG: A Dream Project

Q: We saw that you did a project with PSG recently. Could you tell us more about what that was like?

Benny: Working with PSG, my favorite football team, was thrilling. They approached me to create 1970 posters for each Ligue 1 game, released as free NFTs in collaboration with crypto.com. It was a fantastic project that fans really appreciated.

The Future of Creativity in the Age of AI

Q: With the increased use of AI in the creative industry, what is the future looking like for creatives?

Benny: AI is revolutionizing our generation at an unprecedented pace. Just like the invention of the printer following paper, AI is a transformative tool. Creatives will need to adapt to remain relevant, but I see this as a positive and exciting shift.

Advice for Aspiring AI Artists

Q: If someone is looking to pursue something like what you’re doing, what advice would you give them?

Benny: Start by exploring tools like Midjourney and DALL-E. Gain a basic understanding, then dive deeper with online resources or by joining programs like ours at @mastersof.ai.

An Ageless Galaxy Concept Store Challenge

Q: Lastly, we have a little challenge for you. We have a cool little store in South Jakarta, and we are very keen to see your take on an Ageless Galaxy concept store. Could you create a concept store for us using AI?

Benny: Absolutely, let’s do it!

From his unique creative process to his insightful advice for aspiring artists, Benjamin's perspective on Generative AI opens up new horizons for the future of visual art. Stay tuned for more inspiring interviews and continue to explore the boundless creativity that defines Ageless Galaxy.