Instinct, the startup behind a personal AI assistant, has raised $1 billion in a Series C round at a $10 billion valuation. Backers include Sequoia Capital, Benchmark Capital and Coatue. The company has just 14 employees and was valued at roughly $50 million earlier this year, making the jump in valuation especially striking. The agent can plan trips, order groceries, cancel subscriptions and make phone calls on behalf of users.
Instinct's AI agent operates using its own phone and computer, connecting to email, messaging, screen, audio and location data. New features include Instinct Concierge, a Trusted Person Network and location sharing. The service remains in early access. Starting August 2, EU AI Act rules require systems that interact directly with people to disclose they are AI, which applies to Instinct's agent.
Meta has launched Muse, an AI agent that can control a computer and browser to complete multi-step tasks. In testing, Muse found hotel rooms, bought concert tickets and monitored websites. Users must grant permissions before Muse takes action. Meta plans to eventually connect Muse to AI glasses. The app is available for iPhone, Android and Mac, though it depends on other companies sharing data and APIs with Meta.
Amazon pushed back against calls for slower AI development, saying models should be released when they are ready and safe, backed by rigorous testing and strong safeguards. The company highlighted Amazon SageMaker as a driver of innovation and stressed its commitment to responsible development amid concerns about job displacement and bias.
Bill Gates warned that reaching global AI safety agreements could be harder than Cold War nuclear treaty negotiations. He said AI regulation does not need to slow the US in its competition with China, but cautioned that small groups could use advanced AI to cause mass harm. Gates said he wants to discuss these concerns with President Donald Trump.
On the business and policy front, Fexco reported a 42% drop in profit before tax to €13.2m, driven by planned investments in AI and acquisitions. A Cornell University study found trust is a major barrier to AI-driven food safety systems across 30 food companies. A UConn report urged Connecticut to embed AI in its operating industries to boost productivity. Tempus AI earned FDA clearance for an AI heart detection tool, and Adobe forecast US online holiday sales at $275.1 billion with AI-driven shopping traffic expected to surge 130%.
Key Takeaways
- Instinct raised $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation, up from about $50 million earlier this year, with only 14 employees
- Instinct's AI agent can make phone calls, book trips and order groceries using its own phone and computer
- Meta launched Muse, an AI agent that controls browsers and computers to complete multi-step tasks like booking hotels and buying tickets
- Amazon calls for releasing AI models when ready and safe, pushing back against calls for slower development
- Bill Gates says global AI safety rules may be harder to reach than nuclear treaties
- Fexco profits fell 42% due to investments in AI and acquisitions
- Cornell study finds trust is the biggest barrier to AI-driven food safety sharing among companies
- UConn report urges Connecticut to embed AI in operating industries to drive economic growth
- Tempus AI received FDA clearance for an AI tool that detects heart conditions from ECG data
- Adobe forecasts $275.1 billion in US online holiday sales, with AI-driven shopping traffic projected to surge 130%
Instinct raises $1B at $10B valuation for personal AI assistant
Instinct, a startup building a personal AI assistant, raised $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation. Sequoia Capital, Benchmark Capital and Coatue joined the Series C round. The company is developing an agent that can plan trips, order groceries and cancel subscriptions. Founder Noah Shinn says the goal is to handle the personal nuances of everyday life.
Instinct raises $1B as AI agent makes phone calls on its own
Instinct raised $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation from Sequoia, Benchmark and Coatue. Its AI agent can book trips, order groceries and call businesses using its own phone and computer. Since August 2, EU AI Act rules require systems that talk directly to people to reveal they are AI. Instinct's agent can also coordinate with other agents and exchange files for users.
Instinct valued at $10 billion with only 14 employees
Instinct, a personal AI agent startup, raised $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation in a Series C round. Backers include Sequoia Capital, Benchmark Capital and Coatue. The company has only 14 employees and was valued at about $50 million earlier this year. Its AI assistant can handle phone calls, bookings and errands using its own computer and phone.
Instinct quadruples valuation to $10 billion in one month
Instinct raised $1 billion in Series C funding, lifting its valuation to $10 billion. The personal AI assistant connects to email, messaging, screen, audio and location. It can arrange rides, book services and handle tasks without a new interface. New features include Instinct Concierge, a Trusted Person Network and location sharing. The service is still in early access.
Meta launches Muse AI agent that can do tasks for you
Meta released Muse, an AI agent that can control a computer and browser to complete multi-step tasks. In tests, it found hotel rooms, bought concert tickets and monitored websites. Users must grant permissions before Muse completes actions. Meta plans to connect Muse to AI glasses in the future. The app is available for iPhone, Android and Mac.
Meta's AI agent Muse could change how we use technology
Meta created a new AI agent called Muse that can do tasks for users like making purchases or booking appointments. Muse is designed to be proactive and anticipate what users need. However, it needs other companies to share their data and APIs with Meta. It is unclear whether those companies will agree to cooperate.
Amazon calls for safe AI development without slowing progress
Amazon said AI models should be released when they are ready and safe, based on rigorous testing and strong safeguards. This statement came after several major AI labs called for slower AI development. Amazon noted that its AI model Amazon SageMaker leads innovation. The company stressed its commitment to responsible innovation amid concerns about job displacement and bias.
Fexco profits fall as it invests in AI and acquisitions
Fexco's profit before tax dropped 42% to €13.2m in 2025 from €22.8m. The decline reflected planned investments in AI, international expansion, and acquired businesses. Group income rose slightly from €192.9m to €194.8m. Fexco grew its Business Services division, helping diversify its earnings and build recurring revenues.
Trust is key to using AI for food safety, study says
A Cornell University study found that trust is a major barrier to AI-driven food safety systems. The research analyzed 30 food companies that saw benefits in sharing food safety data but hesitated due to trust, competition, and shared standards concerns. AI-driven systems could offer real-time monitoring and predictive analytics. Without trust, companies are unlikely to share sensitive information needed for effective solutions.
UConn report maps out Connecticut's AI economic plan
A University of Connecticut report outlines a roadmap for Connecticut to reverse economic stagnation using applied artificial intelligence. The report urges the state to focus on embedding AI inside operating industries where value flows to proprietary data and deep domain expertise. Authors say this approach could increase productivity and create new economic opportunities. The report also recommends investing in education and workforce development to prepare workers for AI-driven growth.
Bill Gates warns global AI rules may be harder than nuclear treaties
Bill Gates said reaching an international agreement on AI safety could be more difficult than Cold War nuclear negotiations. He believes AI regulation does not have to slow down the US in its technology competition with China. Gates also warned that small groups could use advanced AI to cause mass harm. He expressed interest in meeting President Donald Trump to discuss these concerns.
Tempus AI earns FDA clearance for heart detection tool
Tempus AI received FDA 510(k) clearance for Tempus ECG-MR, an AI tool that checks 12-lead ECGs for undiagnosed mitral regurgitation in patients aged 65 and over. This marks the fourth FDA cleared ECG AI product from Tempus. The company now spans arrhythmia, heart function, pulmonary vascular, and valvular disease detection from routine ECG data.
Benchy creates universal language for AI benchmarks
Benchy is a semantic language and execution engine for benchmarking AI programs. Each benchmark is defined by a program, scoring function, and dataset, separate from the AI system being tested. Benchy uses canonical YAML that compiles into a standard JSON format for execution. It provides a universal runtime contract so AI systems can integrate without affecting benchmark meaning.
US online holiday sales projected to rise 6.7 percent
Adobe Analytics forecasts US online holiday sales will reach $275.1 billion from November 1 through December 31, a 6.7 percent increase. Cyber Monday is expected to lead at $15.1 billion while AI-driven shopping traffic is projected to surge 130 percent this season. Mobile devices will account for 57.4 percent of holiday spending and Buy Now, Pay Later volume will hit $21.3 billion.
Sources
- Everyday personal AI assistant startup Instinct raises $1B at $10B valuation
- Instinct raised $1B at $10B for an AI agent that rings restaurants on its own phone
- AI Agent Startup Instinct Is Now Worth $10 Billion With Just 14 Employees
- Personal AI Agent Instinct Quadruples Valuation to $10 Billion in 1 Month
- What the Tech: App of the Day, Muse
- AI agents promise to do everything for you. There may be a big wrinkle in that plan
- Amazon (AMZN) Calls for AI Safeguards Without a Slowdown. Can AWS Benefit?
- Fexco profits down amid AI investment and acquisitions
- Study finds trust is the missing ingredient for AI-driven food safety
- New UConn Report Outlines Connecticut's Roadmap to Reverse Economic Stagnation Through Applied Artificial Intelligence
- Bill Gates raises AI safety alarm: Reaching global accord could be harder than Cold War nuclear treaty
- Will FDA Clearance Change Tempus AI (TEM) Stock Narrative
- Benchy: towards a universal language for task-oriented AI benchmarks
- US Online Holiday Sales Set to Climb 6.7% as AI Shopping Traffic Surges, Adobe Says
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