Replika’s founder built the AI assistant she pitched at Disrupt 12 years ago
News Source
•Mon, 19 Oct 2026 18:49:04 +0000
📰 What Happened
Twelve years ago, Eugenia Kuyda pitched a chatbot called IO at TechCrunch Disrupt. It was meant to act as a lifestyle helper that booked restaurants and trips. On Monday she launched Wabi, a new AI assistant, for all users.
Wabi works like a messaging app. Users keep separate threads for different tasks and long-term goals. Inside each thread they can build small apps, like a weight tracker in a health thread or a list of nearby children's events in a family thread.
🔍 The Backstory
Kuyda's first startup, Luka, later became Replika, one of the best-known AI companion apps. She stepped down as Replika's chief executive last year and started Wabi.
Back in 2015 the technology was not ready. Chatbots could not hold a real conversation. The arrival of large language models changed that. Now several firms sell personal assistants that manage inboxes and hunt for flight deals.
🎯 Why It Matters
Assistants are moving from one chat box to many small helpers. That could change how people plan work, health and family life.
Twelve years ago, Eugenia Kuyda pitched a chatbot called IO at TechCrunch Disrupt. It was meant to act as a lifestyle helper that booked restaurants and trips. On Monday she launched Wabi, a new AI assistant, for all users.
Wabi works like a messaging app. Users keep separate threads for different tasks and long-term goals. Inside each thread they can build small apps, like a weight tracker in a health thread or a list of nearby children's events in a family thread.
Kuyda's first startup, Luka, later became Replika, one of the best-known AI companion apps. She stepped down as Replika's chief executive last year and started Wabi.
Back in 2015 the technology was not ready. Chatbots could not hold a real conversation. The arrival of large language models changed that. Now several firms sell personal assistants that manage inboxes and hunt for flight deals.
Assistants are moving from one chat box to many small helpers. That could change how people plan work, health and family life.