I Think I Found an AI Agent Worth the Risk
Instinct saved me $550, booked my restaurant reservations, and warned me about a phishing scam. It also wasted $64 and might be a security nightmare.
Get smart on it
AI agents are software tools that can access a user's email, calendar, and messaging apps to complete tasks autonomously, such as booking restaurant reservations or canceling flights. An invite-only agent called Instinct has gained popularity in the Bay Area by communicating through iMessage and WhatsApp, with the company reportedly seeking to raise $1 billion on top of previous funding, reflecting growing investor interest in this technology. The appeal of agents depends significantly on whether users have clearly defined problems they want automated, as the tools still require substantial user input and direction. However, agents present serious security and privacy risks, including data retention issues, vulnerability to phishing, and broad terms of service that allow companies to use conversations to train AI models, though some users find the convenience worth accepting these concerns.
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