Texting an AI to run your life

The rapid emergence of AI agents designed to function as intuitive personal assistants for the general public. Startups like Instinct and Town are gaining significant momentum by automating complex daily tasks, such as booking travel and managing organizational data, through familiar communication channels like texting. While venture capitalists have driven Instinct’s valuation to $2.5 billion, industry experts remain cautious about the significant privacy trade-offs and the broad legal permissions these autonomous systems require. Critics also argue that while these tools offer convenience, they should not replace human oversight or the need for better design in existing software interfaces. Ultimately, the sources highlight a shift from static AI toward proactive technology that can execute transactions on a user's behalf.