Jolla Founders Unveil Privacy-Friendly AI Assistant to Revolutionize GenAI Experience

Jolla, a company that has transitioned from mobile manufacturing to focusing on privacy-centric AI solutions, has unveiled its new AI assistant. This innovative tool is touted as a “fully private” alternative to major data-mining cloud services that often infringe on user privacy. With this AI assistant, users can seamlessly integrate it with applications like email, calendars, and social media, enhancing their productivity while maintaining data security.

Features of the Jolla AI Assistant

The Jolla AI assistant is designed to empower users by performing various tasks on their behalf. Here are some of the key features:

• Information Summarization: Quickly summarize emails and documents.
• Meeting Scheduling: Effortlessly book meetings and manage your calendar.
• Social Media Management: Filter social media feeds to show relevant content.
• Web Look-ups: Perform searches to gather information on demand.

Dynamic AI Agents

One of the standout functionalities of the Jolla AI assistant is its ability to generate new AI agents on the fly, provided the necessary API keys are available. Additionally, a marketplace for these AI agents is scheduled to launch next month, expanding the assistant’s capabilities even further.

Privacy-Centric Design

Unlike traditional cloud services that often compromise user privacy, the Jolla AI assistant is built to be a secure personal assistant. Users can store notes and research potential purchases without worrying about their personal data being exploited by large corporations. This feature is especially appealing for those who prioritize privacy in their digital interactions.

Proprietary AI Hardware

The Jolla team has spent the past year developing proprietary AI hardware, referred to as ‘AI agents in a box.’ This hardware works in tandem with the software to create a personalized AI experience without privacy trade-offs. The system utilizes smaller AI models that can be hosted locally, thereby reducing the need for cloud interaction.

Upcoming Launch and Features

The AI assistant, branded as Mindy, will soon be available as a subscription service hosted on a private cloud managed by Venho.ai. During a demonstration at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, co-founder Antti Saarnio showcased Mindy’s capabilities, including:

• Interactive Queries: Users can interact with Mindy through a chat-style interface, receiving responses in text and voice.
• Real-Time Task Management: The assistant can add tasks to a to-do list and manage emails efficiently.

Performance and Optimization

While the initial response time for queries was slightly delayed, Saarnio confirmed that ongoing optimizations aim to achieve a response time of under one second.

Self-Hosting Capability

In addition to operating on a private cloud, the AI assistant will be available on the Mind2 Jolla AI device, allowing users to self-host the assistant on their own hardware. This eliminates reliance on third-party cloud services and enhances data security.

Pricing and Availability

Early adopters can subscribe to the AI assistant for just $10 per month after a 14-day free trial, with the regular price set to increase to around $20 per month. The Mind2 device, equipped with 16GB RAM and 128GB memory, is available for €699, with discounts for early buyers.

Community Engagement and Future Prospects

Jolla has successfully shipped around 500 Mind2 devices to early users, garnering valuable feedback through a dedicated Discord community. This engagement strategy is proving beneficial as they refine their product.

Furthermore, Jolla sees potential for B2B opportunities, particularly with telecommunications companies interested in using the hardware as a home hub solution for families. This aligns with their vision of creating a private, efficient alternative to existing smart home devices.

For more information about Jolla and its innovative products, visit their official website: Jolla.