August was an important month for Livepeer, filled with significant milestones, impactful collaborations, and substantial progress in shaping the future of decentralized AI and video infrastructure. From partnerships with major Web3 players to the launch of innovative programs, August solidified Livepeer's position at the intersection of AI, crypto, and media. Here's a deeper look at the key highlights from the past month.

AI and Crypto: Pushing the Frontiers of Innovation

One of the biggest areas of focus in August was the continued development and recognition of Livepeer’s role in AI and decentralized media.

Grayscale Report

Livepeer's inclusion in the Grayscale report on the intersection of AI and crypto was a significant milestone. The report highlighted how Livepeer is providing decentralized video processing and AI compute solutions, positioning us as a key player in tokenized AI infrastructure. This marks an important step in showcasing Livepeer’s capabilities to a broader audience of investors and developers.

The Launch of the AI Video Startup Program

August also marked the official launch of the AI Video Startup Program, aimed at supporting the development of innovative AI-powered video applications. Through grants, mentorship, and early access to Livepeer’s AI video infrastructure, this program fosters the next generation of AI-driven media startups. Participants in the program are working on cutting-edge projects that utilize Livepeer's decentralized video infrastructure to enhance AI applications.

Supporting the Generative AI Video Hackathon

During Korea Blockchain Week (KBW2024), Livepeer sponsored the Generative AI Video Hackathon at Story House. The event allowed developers to leverage Livepeer’s decentralized AI infrastructure to build innovative media applications. This hackathon showcased Livepeer AI infrastructure's capabilities and demonstrated Livepeer’s commitment to supporting the AI developer ecosystem.

Key Collaborations: Strengthening the Ecosystem

August was also marked by important collaborations that extended Livepeer's reach across multiple industries.

Livepeer Powering the Burning Man Webcast

In one of the standout moments of August, Livepeer played a pivotal role in powering the Burning Man webcast. The event, held in the Nevada desert, is known for its innovation and creativity, and this year, it embraced decentralized technology to broadcast the festival to a global audience. By leveraging Livepeer Studio’s decentralized video infrastructure, the webcast team delivered seamless, uninterrupted, and cost-effective coverage, ensuring that viewers worldwide could experience the magic of Burning Man without any disruptions.

Collaboration with Encode Club for AI & GPT Bootcamp

Livepeer continued to invest in AI education by teaming up with Encode Club for their AI & GPT Bootcamp, which began on August 19th. This collaboration is designed to give participants hands-on experience with AI technologies, teaching them how to leverage Livepeer’s decentralized infrastructure for AI video applications. The bootcamp is yet another testament to Livepeer’s role in nurturing the next wave of AI talent.

Enhancing Web3 Engagement with Backdrop V6

In addition to partnerships in the AI space, Livepeer joined forces with Backdrop for the launch of Backdrop V6, a community-driven platform designed to enhance Web3 engagement. The collaboration reflects Livepeer's ongoing commitment to supporting innovative applications across Web3 ecosystems by offering decentralized, scalable video infrastructure.

Ample Protocol Goes Live

Ample Protocol, a Web3 app that enables creators to monetize their onchain intellectual property (IP) and NFTs, went live in August. Leveraging Livepeer Studio for seamless content hosting and token gating, Ample Protocol provides creators with new opportunities to manage and monetize their digital assets.

Educational Content and Community Engagement

August also saw Livepeer's leadership step forward with significant contributions to public discourse on decentralized AI and crypto.

Doug Petkanics on CCN and the DePIN Hub Podcast

Livepeer’s co-founder and CEO, Doug Petkanics, shared his thoughts on a CCN article discussing the dangers of Big Tech monopolies over AI models. Doug emphasized the importance of open-access AI networks, like Livepeer, which empower developers and innovators to sidestep the biases, high costs, and restricted access typically associated with proprietary AI models. Doug also appeared on the DePIN Hub Podcast, where he further elaborated on how Livepeer can empower creators and tokenized AI can revolutionize industries.

Multiple Blog Articles

Several influential articles were published this month, advancing Livepeer’s thought leadership in the decentralized AI space:

• "The Limitations of Centralized Cloud Compute in the Age of AI" discussed how centralized cloud infrastructure stifles innovation and how decentralized solutions offer a compelling alternative.

• "Understanding Diffusion Models in Generative AI" provided a deep dive into the diffusion models that are transforming video production through AI.

• "Adding Multimedia Engagement to Messaging" explored how Livepeer AI can enhance messaging apps by enabling real-time generative media capabilities.

• "How Crypto Incentives Unlock the Magic of AI" examined how tokenized models can drive innovation in AI-powered applications.

Flipguard’s Launch of Gen, Powered by Livepeer AI

Flipguard, a startup in Livepeer’s AI Video Startup Program, launched its Gen tool this month. Gen enables users to generate AI-powered media in real-time, offering a glimpse into the future of personalized, interactive media creation. By utilizing Livepeer AI, Flipguard is making generative AI tools accessible to everyone.

Community Growth and Governance

This month was a significant period for community initiatives and governance proposals within the Livepeer ecosystem.

Passing of Key Proposals

Two important governance proposals passed this month:

• The Live Pioneers proposal aims to build a global Livepeer community by expanding outreach into additional languages, improving educational resources, and offering support channels for delegators.

• The LLM SPE proposal, which will integrate Large Language Models (LLMs) into the Livepeer network, passed and promises to open new AI-driven opportunities for developers and users alike.

Onchain Bear Cage Partnership with Base

Livepeer teamed up with Base to launch Onchain Bear Cage, a new platform designed to bring more immersive and interactive experiences to users by utilizing Livepeer's decentralized video infrastructure.

Bi-Weekly Development Coordination Call

August introduced an updated cadence for bi-weekly core development calls, now aligned with the newly funded SPEs and treasury-coordinated initiatives. These calls are designed to coordinate efforts among independent development teams, streamline workstreams, and ensure that the Livepeer network continues to evolve efficiently and in alignment with community needs.

Looking Forward: The Road Ahead

As we step into September, the stage is set for even more groundbreaking developments. Livepeer will be hosting Limitless, an exclusive event during Token2049 in collaboration with DCG. This event will focus on tokenized AI and feature leaders from across the AI and crypto sectors. It’s a key opportunity for investors, developers, and founders to network and learn more about how tokens are driving AI innovation.Don’t forget to RSVP here.

With these significant achievements behind us, August has been a transformative month for Livepeer. As we move forward, we remain committed to building the world’s open media infrastructure and pioneering the future of decentralized AI.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Livepeer, and thank you for being part of this incredible journey!