Poke, an AI assistant known for its conversational style, has been acquired by Cognition, an AI coding startup. The acquisition values Poke at the low nine figures, according to Cognition. The deal will allow Poke’s interaction model and personality to be integrated into Devin, Cognition’s coding assistant. Poke will also benefit from Cognition’s models and infrastructure to improve its speed and reliability, Cognition stated.
Poke’s appeal lies in its ability to engage with users in a more familiar, conversational manner. Unlike traditional tools, Poke uses slang and humor, making interactions more enjoyable. This feature could enhance Devin’s coding capabilities. Marvin von Hagen, co-founder of The Interaction Company of California, explained that having co-workers with personality, rather than being purely robotic, is preferable. He noted that software engineers who can make jokes are more enjoyable to work with.
The acquisition reflects a growing trend where the way AI assistants interact with users is becoming as important as the models themselves. Cognition aims to make Devin feel more like a colleague. Scott Wu, a co-founder of Cognition, emphasized that Poke’s agent is proactive, knowledgeable, and fun to interact with, qualities he believes Devin should embody. He also mentioned that Cognition had been angel investors in The Interaction Company of California.
Source: techcrunch
