The last month of 2023 was crowded with milestones for Livepeer: the first livestream NFT; a new set of AI-powered documents that highlighted new tools for developers and brand new video features; and a roadmap for bringing AI-based video compute to Livepeer’s GPU-rich network.
Coupled with the recent launch of the Delta upgrade and a community-run treasury to fuel video innovation, the Livepeer Network and Livepeer Studio are in excellent shape for an outstanding 2024.
Livepeer Powers Two Video Firsts
On December 8th Livepeer grant recipient HERE & NOW used the network to stream Echo, No Resonance: the first-ever film to be acted, directed, produced, scored and edited in real time. Oh, and all watched live by virtual and IRL audiences.
Then on December 8th-10th, Livepeer joined forces with StreamETH at Art Basel Miami Beach to livestream all the action at Base House, a physical showcase for artists doing pioneering work onchain. Thanks to StreamETH and Livepeer, audiences who couldn’t be there in person were able to stream from anywhere via the first-ever livestream NFT.
Creator collective Playground used Livepeer’s technology to invite people everywhere to attend Moon Party, a trailblazing arts festival that was one of Art Basel’s highlights.
Meanwhile, artist-owned Refraction DAO teamed up with decentralized live music streaming platform RAD Radio, StreamETH, and Livepeer to bring Refraction Miami Beach to the world.
AI-Powered Docs & Upgraded Features
December 12th brought a significant upgrade to Livepeer’s documentation, along with advanced developer tooling and a host of new video product features.
There’s a helpful AI assistant to guide you through new features like ultra low latency live streaming, fast and easy clipping, multistreaming, in-browser broadcasting, and a new and improved version of Livepeer Player.
It’s all there waiting for you. So click here and start creating!
Livepeer Grantees Shine in the Builder Spotlight
The Livepeer grant program has had a gangbuster year, handing out more than $250k in funding to dozens of disruptive and creative video projects.
Take MadFi. Frustrated by how difficult it is for creators of video and other content to earn what they deserve in a market now worth some $21.1 billion, co-founders Carlos Beltran and Nathan Mueller built a suite of tools designed to democratize access to advertising revenue.
Since its start in March 2022, MadFi has grown into a next-generation multimedia marketing platform that offers on-chain payments and analytics, verifiable attribution, AI-generated creative content, and clear avenues for content monetization.
Are you a creator of great video content? Check out all MadFi has to offer here.
Happy AI New Year
During the December 19th ecosystem call, Livepeer CEO Doug Petkanics updated the community on plans to bring AI-based video compute onto the Livepeer network in the new year.
The first step will be creating a new job type for the network that goes beyond video transcoding: AI-based Generative Video. Work will then go into adding these capabilities to both the orchestrator node and the broadcaster node.
By working with a consumer-facing app, it will be possible to capture and showcase data that validates the massive cost advantage Livepeer will offer versus public clouds.
As with so many industries, AI has the potential to completely transform video, not least by making it possible for individuals with great ideas to produce content that rivals that of high-end studios. If we are to avoid a future where Big Tech controls this powerful new force, open models and open infrastructure are more essential than ever.
There’s a lot of work to be done, but the current plan sets a sound foundation for building exciting new capabilities into the network.
With all that and more on tap, 2024 looks set to be an exciting year.