Ivan Jackson knows generative AI programs like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini increase his productivity. But he also knows there’s some distaste for their use — and detectors to root out AI-generated text in things like web search results and in academia.
To help bypass detectors, the Midlothian resident and James Madison University graduate created WriteHuman, an AI writing tool that punches up AI-generated content with a human touch. Initially designed for his personal use, he has rolled it out for the public — and is currently taking it through the Lighthouse Labs accelerator program in Richmond.
Since its release earlier this year, Jackson says WriteHuman has garnered more than 400,000 active users with 3,000 of those as paid subscribers. Subscription packages start at $12 per month and go up to $48 per month for an ultra tier that gives users unlimited "humanizer requests" to touch up copy. The product is focused on professionals and content creators who use AI writing at scale. Currently, the company is just under half of its goal of $1 million in revenue, Jackson said.
As his company has gained more traction, Jackson says he has found English language users are becoming a big part of WriteHuman’s user base.
"They were confined to their native languages, and using translation programs really don’t get the job done,” he told me in an interview. “AI detectors were disproportionately affecting that community."
Jackson said he hopes the Lighthouse Labs program will give him skills in business finance, marketing and hiring practices to help him expand the business. WriteHuman is the lone Richmond-area startup in the current eight-company cohort.
The participating startups each receive $20,000 in equity-free funding, participate in weekly educational programming, get mentorship from Lighthouse’s mentor network and connect directly with local partners and investors. Debbie Irwin recently stepped in as the new managing director of Lighthouse Labs.
