a former physician has launched robyn, an empathetic ai companion

Robyn: An AI Companion Born from a Physician's Insight

Dr. Jenny Shao, formerly a practicing physician completing her residency at Harvard, observed a significant neurological impact on individuals experiencing isolation during the pandemic. Recognizing a need for support, she transitioned from her medical career to establish a startup focused on creating an AI assistant named Robyn.

Robyn is designed to function as an emotionally intelligent and empathetic AI, specifically tailored for individual users.

Navigating the Landscape of AI Companions

The development of AI assistants for human interaction presents unique challenges. While general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT exist, other applications focus on companionship – such as Character.AI, Replika, and Friend. Even therapy-focused apps like Feeling Great are emerging.

Recent data from July indicates that a substantial 72% of U.S. teenagers have experimented with AI companion applications. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential negative impact of these apps, with accusations of contributing to suicides and subsequent legal action.

Positioning Robyn: Support, Not Replacement

Shao emphasizes that Robyn is intentionally positioned to avoid being categorized as a friendship app or a substitute for professional therapeutic or clinical care.

“My experience as a physician has shown me the risks when technology attempts to replace a doctor,” Shao stated. “Robyn is not intended as a clinical replacement; rather, it serves as a supportive presence, akin to someone who understands you deeply.”

Leveraging Neuroscience in AI Development

The creation of Robyn incorporates insights from human memory research. Shao previously collaborated in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel, recipient of the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, focusing on the intricacies of human memory.

These learnings were directly applied to Robyn’s design, enabling the AI to achieve a more nuanced understanding of its users.

Onboarding and Interaction with Robyn

Available on iOS, Robyn features an onboarding process similar to that of journaling or mental wellness applications. Users are prompted to share information about themselves, their aspirations, their responses to challenges, and their preferred communication style.

Following onboarding, users can engage in conversations with Robyn on a variety of subjects. For example, when asked to create a morning routine, the AI initiated a detailed discussion about minimizing screen time early in the day.

Through continued interaction, Robyn provides users with personalized insights into their behavioral patterns, identifying traits such as their emotional fingerprint, attachment style, love language, areas for growth, and inner critic.

The startup has also developed a demo website that analyzes X (formerly Twitter) profiles, offering a preview of the insights users could gain from Robyn.

Prioritizing User Safety and Responsible AI

Shao underscores the company’s commitment to user safety, implementing safeguards even during the initial solo testing phase. The app provides access to crisis hotline numbers and directs users to the nearest emergency room if they express thoughts of self-harm.

Robyn is programmed to deflect certain inquiries and refrain from performing tasks outside its intended scope. For instance, it will decline requests to display sports scores or count to 1,000, instead offering support related to personal well-being.

Funding and Team Growth

The company has secured $5.5 million in seed funding, led by M13, with participation from Google Maps co-founder Lars Rasmussen, early Canva investor Bill Tai, ex-Yahoo CFO Ken Goldman, and X.ai co-founder Christian Szegedy.

The team has expanded from three members at the beginning of the year to a current total of ten.

Investor Perspective: Addressing Disconnection

Lars Rasmussen highlighted the app’s innovative emotional memory system and Shao’s dedication to helping people as key factors in his investment decision.

“We are experiencing a widespread problem of disconnection,” Rasmussen explained. “People are surrounded by technology yet feel more misunderstood than ever. Robyn directly addresses this issue, fostering self-reflection, pattern recognition, and reconnection with one’s authentic self. It’s not about replacing therapy or relationships, but about enhancing an individual’s capacity for connection – first with themselves, and then with others.”

Challenges and Future Considerations

A significant challenge for Robyn will be maintaining user safety and preventing users from attributing human-like qualities to the AI.

Latif Peracha, a partner at M13, emphasized that Robyn’s ultimate aim is to strengthen human connections, but that robust safeguards are essential for AIs operating in this sensitive domain.

“It’s crucial to have escalation protocols in place for situations where individuals are in danger, particularly as AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, much like family and friends,” Peracha noted.

Availability and Pricing

Following a period of beta testing with a select group of users, Robyn is now available in the U.S. The app operates on a subscription model, costing $19.99 per month or $179 annually.

Note: This article has been updated to reflect the correct annual subscription price.