PIN AI Is Taking Back Control With $10M Secured to Transform Personal AI

 “I think the future would be you just talk to your AI, or even your AI knows you so well, don’t you? You talk and they do things for you,” says Bill Sun.

A bit difficult to comprehend, right? But it’s coming or maybe it’s here. 

PIN AI, a promising new startup in the AI space, has announced a successful $10 million pre-seed funding round.  Today tech giants profit from user data and control personal intelligence, but PIN AI is challenging the status quo. The innovative startup, backed by prominent investors like a16z CSX and Hack VC, has raised $10 million in pre-seed funding to develop the world’s first open-source Personal Intelligence Network (PIN). This funding mark will turn smartphones into privacy-focused personal assistants and shifting control from tech giants back to users.

PIN AI’s ambitious vision draws from a powerhouse team with experience from Ethereum Core, Google Brain, Stanford, MIT, and Carnegie Mellon University. The company aims to disrupt the entrenched profit models of big tech, including Apple’s substantial app revenue cut and Google’s extensive mobile ads and app store revenue.

Decentralized AI

At the heart of PIN AI’s mission is a belief in the power of decentralization. Davide Crapis, Co-Founder and Protocol Research lead, articulates this vision: “We’re building a movement towards an open-source future where personal AI assistants can work on PIN AI’s platform like smart contracts on Ethereum.” He emphasizes that the platform’s open-source nature allows it to democratize AI, redirecting the $100 billion profit traditionally accrued by tech giants back to users who will now have control over their data.

PIN AI’s platform is designed to leverage personal, contextual data with cutting-edge AI models deployed on-device. This setup enables users to manage tasks across various apps—from shopping and ordering food to interacting with DeFi platforms—while maintaining robust privacy through decentralized blockchain technology.

Bill Sun, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, adds, “On-device multi-modality models will revolutionize daily life. We are building a personal index for each user to create an on-device model that evolves via distributed training on the user’s phone.” This approach promises a seamless user experience where AI understands individual preferences and manages tasks efficiently without needing multiple apps.

Investment and Industry Impact

The $10 million funding round was led by a16z CSX and Hack VC, with support from a roster of notable investors including Blockchain Builders Fund, Illia Polosukhin, and various other blockchain and AI visionaries. This backing underscores the high regard in which the venture is held and its potential to reshape the landscape of personal AI.

PIN AI’s platform stands out for its integration of privacy-protected user data through a Layer-2 blockchain, which contrasts sharply with the closed ecosystems of companies like Apple. This decentralized approach fosters greater innovation and flexibility, enabling a broad community of developers to build AI agents without the constraints of traditional, closed systems.

A New Paradigm for Data Monetization

PIN AI’s model shifts the narrative of data monetization. Instead of big tech reaping the benefits, users will receive token incentives for data onboarding and intent fulfillment. This ensures that users maintain control over their personal information while capitalizing on it through PIN AI’s blockchain protocol.

“By leveraging the global reach and decentralized nature of blockchain networks, PIN AI aims to create a platform that attracts a diverse ecosystem of builders,” says Davide. The platform’s open approach allows developers to create and contribute to personal AI agents, fostering a collaborative environment that stands in stark contrast to the centralized control of tech giants.

Looking Ahead

As PIN AI prepares for its official launch, the company is set to join the a16z CSX Fall 2024 cohort in New York City. This milestone will further propel its research and development efforts, expanding its team of experts and accelerating the deployment of its technology.

PIN AI’s vision represents a significant shift towards user empowerment in the AI domain. With a foundation built on decentralization and a commitment to privacy, the platform aims to redefine the interaction between users and technology. As Davide Crapis puts it, “We believe that to build useful personal AI, no single company can do that alone. The future of personal AI lies in a collaborative, open ecosystem.”

PIN AI is not just another version of Apple Intelligence; it’s a radical departure from the status quo set by Web 2.0 companies. While tech giants like Apple continue to control and profit from centralized data, PIN AI is tackling the fundamental challenge of personal AI by offering a truly open platform.

The core challenge is clear: to build a platform that allows users to access and control their complete range of data—spanning all apps and devices—directly on their own trusted devices. This level of user control and ownership is unprecedented and fundamentally shifts the balance of power from tech giants to individual users.

PIN AI is not only providing a fresh alternative to centralised superpowers, but it is also bringing about a dramatic shift in the field of personal artificial intelligence. PIN AI poses an interesting question as it becomes available to all developers and users: Will this new model finally enable users to reclaim their digital autonomy, or will it face the same obstacles that have stymied change in the past?