
Domenic Ashburn

Summary
Domenic Ashburn is a creative technologist and the founder of Grateful Labs, an organisation that helps individuals learn and utilise AI, 3D, and mixed reality design. He is recognised for his expertise in artificial intelligence, creative technology, and personal development. Through social media, he shares 90-second tutorials, guiding solo entrepreneurs and creatives on branding and business growth.
He became the first social media creator to use AgentGPT as a social media agent, achieving 100,000 followers in 22 days and 300,000 followers in 50 days. This demonstrated AI’s potential in content creation and digital engagement.
Domenic has collaborated with major companies, including Adobe, Meta, OpenAI, Lenovo, and Mindvalley. He has been an early tester for DALL·E 2 and OpenAI's Advanced Voice Mode. He has also worked with Meta AI, The Notorious KIA, and Eleven Labs. Additionally, he has spoken at events like the 19Keys Tour in Dallas and Mindvalley AI Summits.
Before founding Grateful Labs, Domenic was Executive Producer at Theta Design Co. (2016–2023), producing media content for purpose-driven brands. He also worked as a freelance designer for nearly nine years, providing services such as video production, digital marketing, and brand design.
His academic background includes studies at the University of Cincinnati, focusing on Business, Entrepreneurship, and Design, Architecture, Art & Planning (DAAP).
Domenic also has experience in education, having volunteered as a math and reading tutor for Bearcat Buddies. His work focuses on helping people use AI effectively while maintaining human values. His mission is to make technology accessible, future-proof individuals, and support start-ups in building strong brands.
Domenic is listed among the Top 40 AI and Machine Learning Influencers on Instagram and continues to innovate in AI-driven content creation.
Biography
Domenic Ashburn was born in the United States. From an early age, he developed an interest in design and technology. His passion for creative work began when he was caught drawing the 2Pac logo during church, a moment that made him realise the power of design. This experience shaped his understanding of visual storytelling and branding.
He attended the University of Cincinnati, where he studied Business & Entrepreneurship at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business and also took courses in Design, Architecture, Art & Planning (DAAP). His education gave him a strong foundation in both creative and business disciplines, which later influenced his approach to branding and technology.
Domenic started his professional career in 2014 as a freelance designer, working with various companies to create graphic design, video content, typography, and branding materials. He helped businesses build their marketing strategies by developing high-quality visual content. In 2016, he founded Theta Design Co., a company dedicated to producing media content for purpose-driven brands. Under his leadership, Theta Design Co. provided cinema-grade video production, Adobe graphic design, and high-definition photography, helping businesses transform their marketing efforts.
For nearly seven years, Domenic worked as Executive Producer at Theta Design Co., leading creative projects and managing a remote team of designers. He focused on branding for start-ups and purpose-driven businesses, ensuring they had a strong visual identity to connect with their audience. His company’s model allowed designers to work remotely, encouraging creativity and reducing environmental impact.
In April 2023, he founded Grateful Labs, a platform focused on teaching AI, 3D, and mixed reality design. The goal of Grateful Labs is to help individuals stay relevant in an AI-driven world by providing user-friendly online courses. These courses include step-by-step written guides with visual aids and links, covering AI image generation, prompt engineering, and video effects. Domenic became widely recognised for his 90-second AI tutorials on social media, where he provided practical guidance for solo entrepreneurs and creatives. His content helped individuals build their brands and businesses using AI-driven tools.
In 2023, Domenic became the first social media creator to use AI as his social media agent. He employed AgentGPT, an AI tool, to automate and optimise his content strategy. This resulted in rapid audience growth, reaching 100,000 followers in 22 days and 300,000 followers in 50 days. His experiment demonstrated how AI could be used effectively in digital content creation and engagement, setting a new standard for AI-driven social media marketing. His work gained attention in the AI and marketing industry, leading to collaborations with several major companies.
Domenic has worked with leading technology and creative companies on AI-related projects and has been invited to speak at major industry events. His collaborations include Adobe, where he worked on Adobe Generative Fill and appeared on Adobe Live. He participated in Meta’s Creator Innovation Summit, Meta Connect 2024, and Meta AI projects. He was an early tester for OpenAI’s DALL·E 2 and Advanced Voice Mode and contributed to Lenovo’s motion tracking AI and Formula 1 simulations. He has spoken at Mindvalley AI Summits and taught AI and Social Media Mastery courses. He was also a guest professor at Ohio State University, where he spoke about AI’s role in product design. Other collaborations include Foundr, where he was a podcast guest, and Eleven Labs, where he was an early tester for Professional Voice Mode.
Domenic has been featured in multiple podcasts, interviews, and publications discussing AI, social media growth, and digital marketing strategies. He appeared on the Calum Johnson Podcast, where he discussed AI’s role in content creation, and was a guest on RealTalkGPT, where he shared insights on ChatGPT and AI-driven branding. He was also a speaker at the Earn Your Leisure Tour in Dallas, where he talked about AI and business growth. His expertise in AI and branding has led to invitations to industry conferences and high-profile discussions.
Apart from his professional work, Domenic has contributed to education and mentorship. He volunteered as a math and reading tutor for Bearcat Buddies, a program at the University of Cincinnati, where he helped students improve their academic skills. As a guest professor and AI educator, he has taught courses on AI-driven content creation, branding, and entrepreneurship, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience.
As of 2024, Domenic continues to lead Grateful Labs, teaching individuals how to use AI and digital tools effectively. He is focused on expanding his educational platform, developing more AI-driven courses, and helping creators and entrepreneurs integrate AI into their workflows. His social media presence continues to grow, and he remains a leading voice in AI, creative technology, and personal development. He is also working on new collaborations with AI companies and exploring innovations in mixed reality and digital marketing. His long-term vision is to help individuals and businesses navigate the evolving technological landscape, ensuring they stay relevant in a world driven by AI and automation.
Domenic Ashburn has established himself as a key figure in AI education, digital branding, and creative technology. His work with AI, branding, and social media strategy has made a significant impact, and he continues to shape the future of AI-driven content creation.
Vision
Domenic Ashburn’s vision is to help individuals and businesses adapt to the fast-changing world of AI and digital technology. He believes that technology should be used as a tool to improve creativity, productivity, and human potential. Through Grateful Labs, he aims to make AI education accessible to everyone, ensuring that people can learn and apply new skills effectively. His focus is on guiding entrepreneurs, content creators, and businesses to integrate AI into their work. By sharing knowledge through social media, courses, and collaborations, he wants to future-proof individuals and help them stay relevant in an AI-driven world.
Recognition and Awards
Domenic Ashburn has been recognised for his contributions to AI, digital branding, and content creation. He was listed among Feedspot’s Top 40 AI and Machine Learning Influencers on Instagram. He was an early tester for OpenAI’s DALL·E 2 and Advanced Voice Mode, contributing to AI advancements. He was invited as a guest professor at Ohio State University to discuss AI in product design. He spoke at Mindvalley AI Summits and Meta’s Creator Innovation Summit. His innovative use of AgentGPT to grow his social media audience set a new standard in AI-driven content creation, gaining industry-wide attention.
References
- Domenic Ashburn (@mr.grateful) - Instagra| Instagram · mr.grateful
- Domenic Ashburn - Founder - Grateful Labs| LinkedIn · Domenic Ashburn
- Domenic Ashburn (@mrgrateful) / X| x.com
- Domenic Ashburn (@mr.grateful)| Threads · @mr.grateful
- Domenic Ashburn - Graphic Designer & Producer in | Behance
- Domenic Ashburn's Post| LinkedIn · Domenic Ashburn
- Domenic Ashburn| Facebook
- He Used AI to Gain 100K Followers in 30 Days| Apple Podcasts
- Mr.grateful| YouTube · Mr.grateful
- About 5 — Grateful Labs| Grateful Labs
- Domenic Ashburn (@Mr.Grateful)| Foundation.app
- Domenic Ashburn on Instagram: "AgentGPT Day 28: AI Biz |Instagram · mr.grateful
- Top 40 AI and Machine Learning Influencers on Instagram| Feedspot
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