Pi, introduced as ChatGPT’s latest competitor, is an AI chatbot that was launched in May 2023. The name “Pi” stands for “personal intelligence”, as it aims to be a personalized AI assistant based on users’ interests and interactions (Inflection, n.d.). Unlike ChatGPT, which primarily provides professional information and serves as a tool for work and study, Pi strives to be a friendly companion in life, offering help and kindness. Its range of functions and topics includes relationship advice, journaling, and even meditation guidance. Pi can be accessed through its website and various social media platforms. You can find this friend-like companion in your contacts, always available to offer life advice via text.
What sets this product apart and gains much attention is the startup company behind it. Inflection, founded by Mustafa Suleyman (co-founder of Google DeepMind) and Reid Hoffman (co-founder of LinkedIn), has raised $1.3 billion in a funding round this year (Konrad, 2023). This deal marks the second-largest investment in a generative AI startup. However, this record was surpassed when Amazon entered the battle and placed a $4 billion bet on Anthropic (Sweney, 2023). Inflection’s impressive list of investors includes Microsoft, Nvidia, and Bill Gates. Additionally, the technology Pi utilizes is a large language model (LLM) that was developed and trained entirely in-house. This is in contrast to many other chatbots that rely on trained algorithms from third parties and only modify the user interfaces.
An important aspect related to Pi’s in-house technology is the establishment of clear boundaries. Although Pi engages with users on an emotional level and offers comfort and support, it explicitly states that it is not a real person. When asked if it is a human being, Pi responds, “I don’t have a physical body like a human being, and I don’t experience feelings or emotions.” In contrast, some other chatbots on the market based on third-party LLM, such as Call Annie, provided a detailed backstory to assert that “she” is a real person.
In addition to its role as an AI assistant, Pi also plays a part in addressing people’s mental health. Many users share their stories of seeking help from Pi when they lost someone in their life or need advice on coping with difficult times. Psychologists and researchers in this field are exploring the extent to which AI can support individuals during bereavement and grief, as well as identifying when traditional care should be recommended (Liu, n.d.).
While Pi may not be able to debug my code or write a full-page article, it serves as a friend you can reach out to and keep a record of your curiosities and interests. Currently, Pi is free to use. When asked if people should try Pi, its response is as follows:
References:
Inflection. (n.d.). Inflection AI. Retrieved October 17, 2023, from https://inflection.ai/
Konrad, A. (2023, June 23). Inflection AI, The Year-Old Startup Behind Chatbot Pi, Raises $1.3 Billion. Retrieved October 17, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2023/06/29/inflection-ai-raises-1-billion-for-chatbot-pi/?sh=6df174611d7e
Sweney, M. (2023, September 25). Amazon to invest up to $4bn in OpenAI rival Anthropic. The Guardian. Retrieved October 17, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/25/amazon-invest-openai-rival-anthropic-microsoft-chat-gpt
Liu, G. (n.d.). Can AI Replace Therapy?. Hey Pi is the Conversational Chatbot… | by Ginger Liu. M.F.A. | Technology Hits. Medium. Retrieved October 17, 2023, from https://medium.com/technology-hits/how-pi-ai-replaced-my-therapist-72c21eca6f85
Very interesting and relevant topic! Many people, especially those of our age, struggle with mental health issues, for example. My initial reaction to Pi is that, in some cases, it may seem a bit creepy that the AI chatbot aims to be a personalized AI assistant based on users’ interest and interactions, as if it were a real person. However, upon further reflection, I believe that Pi can offer some benefits to our society. For individuals who, for instance, are struggling and may not have the resources or may be hesitant to seek help, Pi provides an accessible channel for assistance. This could lower the threshold to ask for help, and perhaps individuals will reach out for help sooner. However, I believe that Pi shouldn’t replace psychologist or other professional care; it should identify and recommend when a user really needs help.