This Startup Wants You to Pay Up to Talk With AI Versions of Human Experts
Onix, a new company led by David Bennahum, is aiming to create a marketplace where users can subscribe to AI-powered avatars representing well-known experts, much like subscribing to newsletters on Substack. These AI bots, called "Onixes," are designed to emulate the personalities and expertise of their human counterparts and provide subscribers with personalized advice 24/7—often in areas such as health, psychology, and nutrition.
How Onix Works
Experts participating on the platform contribute their own content to train their Onix, ensuring the AI reflects their unique style and approach. Privacy is a core focus: user data is encrypted and kept on the user’s device, and Onix claims to safeguard both user and expert privacy rigorously. The platform currently operates in beta, featuring a selective group of 17 vetted health and wellness influencers, many of whom use Onix to promote related products or services.
Advantages and Challenges
- Accessibility: Onix offers around-the-clock advice at a cost lower than traditional expert consultations (with subscriptions priced between $100 and $300 a year).
- Monetization for Experts: Experts can reach a larger audience and earn revenue even when they’re unavailable in person.
- Accuracy and Boundaries: While Onix has implemented safeguards to minimize AI hallucinations, testing shows it's not flawless—sometimes veering off-topic or offering personal recommendations tied to an expert’s own commercial interests.
- Human Connection: The platform does not provide actual medical treatment but instead offers guidance and therapeutic techniques, often with disclaimers. Still, the lack of true human interaction raises concerns about the long-term effects on personal well-being and trust.
The Bigger Picture
Platforms like Onix reflect a larger trend: the increasing use of AI in delivering personalized advice and content. While they may fill gaps in accessibility and affordability of expert knowledge, questions remain about efficacy, oversight, and the erosion of genuine human relationships. The ultimate measure of Onix’s impact will be whether AI-guided conversations genuinely help users solve their problems.
For more, read the original article by Steven Levy at WIRED.
