AI Agents Move Into Text Messages as Instinct Hits $10 Billion Valuation
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Oct 24
AI Agents Move Into Text Messages as Instinct Hits $10 Billion Valuation
3 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Oct 24
Summary
A growing wave of AI agents now works directly through SMS, iMessage, WhatsApp and other messaging channels, letting users delegate tasks without downloading another app.
Those agents aim to turn ordinary texts into actions—booking reservations, managing calendars, sending emails, shopping, making calls and following up later while retaining context across conversations.
Instinct remains the highest-profile player after a $1 billion September round valued it at $10 billion, though it is still in private beta and has drawn privacy and security scrutiny over its autonomy.
The field is rapidly fragmenting into niches, with family-focused services such as Fambot and Ollie, travel assistant Miso, work-oriented Town, and general assistants like Martin, Folk and Tab.
Pricing and maturity vary widely, from free betas and open-source offerings to subscriptions such as Ask Proxy at $1 a day, signaling a fast-forming market around text-native automation.