Industry leaders suggest that “proactive” AI systems, which can predict and fulfill user needs before they are recognized, represent the next advancement in the field. A startup pioneering this concept is IrisGo, which is developing a PC desktop companion to automate user workflows with minimal human input. The company secured a $2.8 million seed round led by Andrew Ng’s AI Fund. IrisGo was co-founded by Jeffrey Lai, a former Apple engineer instrumental in creating Siri’s Chinese version.
IrisGo’s core system remembers processes after just one demonstration, automating tasks without further instructions. In a TechCrunch demo, Lai showcased Iris ordering coffee online—selecting a latte, entering payment details, and completing the purchase—demonstrating how Iris can automate various business activities. Its “skills” library includes email drafting, invoice processing, and more, learning from user behavior to expand its automation capabilities.
Iris also features a coding assistant like OpenAI’s Codex, targeting knowledge workers who frequently perform repetitive tasks. By streamlining clerical work, IrisGo aims to allow users to focus on high-level tasks. A notable feature of Iris is its on-device data processing, enhancing privacy compared to cloud-dependent apps. While complex tasks require cloud processing, this happens only with user authorization and encrypted communications.
To build credibility, IrisGo aligns with reputable entities, gaining support from Andrew Ng, a pioneer of Google Brain. Ng’s endorsement followed a Carnegie Mellon University connection and a demo of Iris, with Nvidia and Google also backing the company. IrisGo launched beta apps for macOS and Windows, seeking partnerships with laptop makers for pre-installation. It recently partnered with Acer and aims to secure similar agreements with other manufacturers.