Teaching an LLM to Speak Vestaboard Note: Building Vestaboard AI (corti.com)

A new application called Vestaboard AI has been developed to creatively leverage a Vestaboard, a split-flap display with a limited character capacity, as a platform for AI-generated messages. This Python-based service employs OpenAI-compatible language models to generate concise messages that fit within the Vestaboard's strict constraints: 45 characters across three lines, using a restricted set of letters, digits, and symbols. The application intelligently validates and compiles these messages into a compatible format for the display, ensuring that it maintains aesthetic and functional coherency while demonstrating the challenges of working with constrained output scenarios. The significance of Vestaboard AI lies in its innovative approach to training language models under strict limitations, offering insights into how AI can be effectively guided and utilized within defined boundaries. This project also emphasizes the importance of modular architecture, process separation, and robust error handling in software design, crucial aspects for AI developers aiming to use language models in real-world applications. The completed system features a simple yet effective interface and deployment processes, making it accessible not just to tech enthusiasts but also to anyone interested in integrating AI in unique, tangible ways. The application is open-sourced and available on GitHub, inviting further exploration and development from the AI/ML community.