Get to know Alex Keyter, one of this year’s Pitch & Pizza winners and newest Flex Member to join coworking at Avenue HQ St Paul’s Square. Alex is the brains behind Generative Minds UK, a premium consultancy leading the revolution in AI technology and ethical practices.
“So , my name is Alex. I am a software developer and I’ve just completed my master’s degree in Data Science & AI. I am also a linguist, so I speak Spanish and German.
I’m a person who likes wearing many hats! I was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago. Previously, I felt that having loads of different ideas and wanting to try new things was a deficit, because in academic settings it’s seen as such and in some professional settings it’s also frowned upon.”
“The business started off the back of the Chat GPT revolution.”
Alex first started using the online craze as a creative outlet, asking AI to translate song lyrics and create poetry verses. Later he used the tool to apply for a grant with Liverpool’s Waste Recycling Authority to run community clothing swap shops that helped prevent 2 tonnes of clothing waste in the city.
“I realised that was something I would never have been able to do previously, because I wouldn't have been able to focus or structure my ideas without the help of AI.
Then I thought, oh there’s actually loads of organisations that could be enabled to do more by having access to these tools.”
Thus began, Generative Minds.
“Generative Minds delivers AI awareness and digital skills to businesses and professionals to help them prepare for the future. We also develop AI powered software tools that make it easier to get more work done in less time.
Where can you make automations in your business? Where can you implement AI tools to improve efficiency and deliver higher value to customers?”
Since establishing the business, Alex has worked with the Civic Data Co-Op, The University of Liverpool, and a number of social enterprises across the Liverpool City Region.
“I was on Growth Platform and I saw the event as part of Avenue HQ’s fifth anniversary.
“I’ve been around the Avenue HQ ecosystem for the past year and a half, going to every networking event that I can to find business, make connections and build relationships.
To then come in and pitch my idea, something that I really believe in and have worked hard for, and have other people turn around and say ‘Yeah man! You deserve an office space where you can do this to the best of your ability’.”
There are two main ways: social impact and range of services.
Alex works primarily with organisations that have or want a clear social focus with how they operate.
“For me, the number one focus is, how do we use this to create opportunity, creativity and productivity for everyone.”
Generative Minds is also the only AI consultancy that works across the full spectrum; “Not only do I understand how the technology works, but also how it’s going to impact people organisationally and operationally. Being an engineer, I can also implement software.”
Alex also runs community workshops to teach organisations and businesses how AI works, improve their awareness and understanding of it and how they can utilise it to benefit themselves.
“For a lot of people, this is a journey and it's all about building trust.”
“In programming, we have this thing called ‘separation of concerns’ which basically means when you have a program, you keep each part of the program in one folder or file, so it doesn't get mixed or confused between different functions. People are basically the same, right?
Before I was going into coffee shops but I didn’t really have a proper base to work from. Now, I get off the train in the morning and I’m heading to my office where there is plenty of coffee!”
“The other part that I’ve found very beneficial is the community.
I’ve only been a member for three weeks now and I’ve met loads of people who I get on really well with, including fellow small businesses and startups.
I also got to attend the recent Code Nation Exchange Program here at Avenue HQ Mann Island, which I had first attended two years ago before Chat GPT even came out!”
Alex is also already in talks with AHQ's partner, Eagle Labs and former Pitch & Pizza winner, Bob Spence, on future projects.
“Build my platform and my brand.
This is a place where I’m accessing the best possible support, the nicest people and the best resources to be able to take what I do and just grow infinitely.”
“I think about the further development of video.
We’re moving into an age where you can describe your vision, your imagination and turn that into a video. And that’s going to change the way people make movies!”
Other key trends include the rise of interactive PAs, robotics, energy forecasting, transportation.
“We’re moving into this age of abundance and it’s important we make sure everyone gets to come along for the journey.”