Classic chatbots, like ChatGPT or Gemini, could soon become obsolete. Indeed, many industry players are already working on an even more useful version of generative artificial intelligence: “AI agents”. Unlike chatbots, which simply respond to queries, AI agents would be able to carry out actions for the user, by taking control of their computer, for example, to order an item online or to make reservations . In essence, if chatbots can replace search engines, AI agents could replace apps.
And a new startup, founded by former Android executives, wants to create a new platform that would accommodate these AI agents. Called /dev/agents, it is led by David Singleton, who is also a co-founder. Singleton previously served as CTO of Stripe. He is also the former vice president of engineering of Android. Quoted by Bloomberg, he explains that /dev/agents wants to create a cloud operating system that will run on smartphones, PCs, and even vehicles. The interface should, for its part, facilitate user interactions with AI agents.
A dream team?
The other two co-founders of /dev/agents are Hugo Barra and Ficus Kirkpatrick. Hugo Barra was previously vice president of product management for Android at Google. After leaving Google, he managed the international expansion of Xiaomi, then he joined the Meta group (which he left in 2021) as vice president of Reality Labs partnerships (the mixed reality branch). And Ficus Kirkpatrick worked on Android as an engineer, according to Bloomberg’s explanations.
Within /dev/agents, Hugo Barra will be the director of product, while Kirkpatrick will be the director of technology. Otherwise, the design director of /dev/agents is the former design boss of Google Chrome OS. “Going back to our Android roots, we’re building a new operating system for people and artificial intelligence agents”wrote Hugo Barra on X.
According to Bloomberg, the new startup has already raised $56 million, as part of a seed round led by Index Venture and co-led by CapitalG, the growth investment fund of Alphabet (the parent company of Google). Furthermore, the startup would already be valued at $500 million.
- Former Android execs found startup to develop operating system for AI agents
- An AI agent is an artificial intelligence that not only answers questions, but can also carry out tasks for the user
- And it has already raised $56 million for a valuation of $500 million
