Meeting notetaker Read AI launched Ada, an AI-powered email-based assistant designed to help users manage schedules, answer company-specific queries, and handle out-of-office messages. Described as a “digital twin,” Ada can be configured by sending an email to “[email protected]” with the message “Get me started.”
Ada assists in scheduling by communicating availability and suggesting alternative times if needed, accessing user’s calendars without disclosing meeting details. It uses a company’s knowledge base and public internet searches to answer questions, such as updates on goals. It also drafts responses in email threads, refining them before sending, without revealing sensitive information.
The assistant builds a knowledge graph from meeting data and connected services, providing contextual answers and taking proactive actions like following up on meeting items. CEO David Shim compared training Ada to onboarding a new employee for increased efficiency.
Though currently available via email, Ada will extend to Slack and Teams. The company aims to grow from 5 million to 10 million monthly active users, currently seeing 50,000 daily sign-ups and worldwide use, with 60% of users outside the U.S. Despite being more international, revenue remains half from the U.S.
Read AI, with over $81 million in funding, is enhancing its AI tools, having launched Search Copilot for knowledge discovery and added features to update CRM systems and send emails within meeting reports. Competitors like Granola and Quill are also innovating, with features for extracting insights from meeting notes and automating tasks.