Artificial intelligence (AI) is on the brink of making independent decisions for us, from buying products to scheduling appointments. However, Michael Fanous, a computer science graduate from UC Berkeley, believes we’re not quite there yet. He argues that current AI agents lack the contextual understanding necessary to accurately serve human needs.
For example, these machines struggle to connect the dots between a user’s professional profile on LinkedIn, their Instagram activity, and public records. To tackle this challenge, Michael teamed up with his father, Emad Fanous, to create Nyne. This startup aims to bridge the gap by helping AI agents understand users through their entire digital presence.
Recently, Nyne raised $5.3 million in seed funding, mainly led by Wischoff Ventures and South Park Commons, along with several angel investors, including the co-founder of Google AdSense, Gil Elbaz.
While it might seem that classic machine learning, like Google’s ad targeting, has already solved this issue, Fanous disagrees. Google’s edge comes from its exclusive access to extensive user data, something that external agents can’t replicate. “This is a surprisingly tough problem,” says Nichole Wischoff of Wischoff Ventures.
Nyne tackles this challenge by deploying numerous agents online to analyze public digital footprints and applying machine learning to sift through that data. The goal is to gather insights from not just mainstream social networks like Instagram and Facebook but also niche platforms such as SoundCloud and Strava.
As more businesses begin to use AI agents, they can lean on Nyne for deeper insights into both existing and prospective customers. “I can offer any relevant information about a person to help make better decisions,” Fanous explains. “By weaving these connections together, we gain a profound understanding of individuals—what excites them, their interests, and their thought processes.” This approach could be particularly useful for companies wanting to target their marketing effectively.
Wischoff points out the immense market potential for this data. Businesses will benefit from understanding their customers more intricately. “How can you identify a new parent and market products to them as soon as possible?” she asks. Unlike previous generations of ad tech, Nyne focuses on delivering this information with precision tailored for AI agents.
On a more personal note, Michael shares that working alongside his dad has been a great experience. “It’s easier to stay committed when you’re working with family,” he says. “If I need him at 3 a.m. to sort something out, I know our relationship won’t suffer.” Their collaboration reflects a unique blend of personal and professional bonds, paving the way for innovation.
Overall, as AI continues to evolve, insights like those from Nyne could fundamentally shift how companies understand and interact with their customers. This is an exciting frontier in technology that is just beginning to unfold.
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ad tech,AI agents,South Park Commons,Wischoff Ventures
