Startup Instinct is raising funds at a $2.5 billion valuation for its AI assistant that manages email and other tasks, generating buzz across Silicon Valley. However, some early testers have flagged concerns about how the tool handles personal data and privacy.
Instinct, a private-access AI assistant built by Spear Street Technology and led by former Sierra researcher Noah Shinn, connects to users' email, messaging, calendar, location, and device audio to handle tasks like booking appointments and managing inboxes. While testers praise its capabilities, others have flagged its terms of service, which grant the company a perpetual, irrevocable license to store, reproduce, and use user data, including for AI training.