According to TechCrunch, there are now quite a few AI agents that work directly in text messages. The editorial team has put together a list of the best-known ones. It ranges from general assistants to agents for families, travel and work.
The details are in the original list. The article's short description doesn't name any specific products, so we don't either.
What "an agent in the message" means
An AI agent is more than a chatbot that only answers. It is meant to take over or prepare tasks, such as researching something, reminding you of an appointment or putting together a plan. When it runs in text messages, you write to it as you would to a contact in a messenger. An additional app or a complicated interface isn't necessarily needed. That can make getting started easier, especially for people who already handle a lot of things by message.
Which areas of use are mentioned
The list distinguishes by purpose:
- General assistants: for questions, ideas and small everyday tasks.
- Family: conceivable for shared arrangements and household organization.
- Travel: for example, as help with planning and coordination on the go.
- Work: to support tasks in everyday professional life.
Which agent fits depends on what you want to get done with it. A specialist can be better suited to a narrow purpose than an all-rounder, but it doesn't have to be.
What to keep in mind before trying one
Anyone who entrusts messages to an agent often gives it personal information as well. It's worth checking beforehand which data is processed, whether access to contacts or calendars is required, and what the provider says about data protection. You should also look at the costs and the terms of use.
In addition, AI answers can be wrong. For important decisions, such as bookings or appointments with consequences, you should briefly check the result yourself.
