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Acti puts AI agents directly into your smartphone keyboard

Singapore-based startup Acti has launched an AI-powered keyboard for iOS and Android that integrates AI directly into users' smartphone interfaces, allowing seamless interaction across apps. The keyboard uses Google’s Gemini models and emphasizes privacy by prioritizing local data processing. Acti aims to transform user engagement with AI by embedding it within everyday communication tools, supported by $5.3 million in seed funding.

Key points

  • Acti is a startup based in Singapore that launched a new AI-powered keyboard app for iOS and Android.
  • The keyboard integrates AI functionalities directly into the smartphone's interface, helping users avoid constant switching between apps for AI assistance.
  • Enabled by Google’s Gemini models, Acti’s features include 'Skills' which allow users to automate tasks with custom shortcuts.
  • The app prioritizes user privacy by processing personal data locally on the device and avoids storing private messages unless necessary.
  • Acti aims to create a shared marketplace for users to develop and share their own 'Skills', enhancing the keyboard's functionality.
  • The startup has received $5.3 million in seed funding, highlighting investor confidence in its potential to reshape human-computer interaction.

Why it matters

  • Acti's push for integrating AI into familiar applications resonates with current trends toward personalized AI experiences and increased reliance on smart devices.
  • The focus on privacy aligns with growing consumer concerns regarding data security and the use of AI.
  • The trend of embedding AI into everyday tools echoes previous innovations, such as the rise of chatbots and virtual assistants.
  • The launch reflects a broader shift in technology where user context and seamless interactions across platforms become crucial.

Acti's innovative keyboard app represents a significant step towards integrating AI into daily digital interactions, prioritizing user privacy and convenience, and reflecting ongoing trends in technology that emphasize personalization and seamlessness.