Snap AI Builder Launches eSelf, a Real-Time Video Chatbot Platform

Dr. Alan Bekker, the AI expert behind Snap’s My AI chatbot, has launched a new venture, eSelf, a platform for creating and managing real-time, video-based AI agents. The startup, co-founded with Eylon Shoshan (CTO), has raised $4.5 million in seed funding, with support from Explorer Investments, Ridge Ventures, and notable angel investors like former YouTube VP Eyal Manor.

eSelf’s initial focus spans industries such as education, sales, financial services, real estate, and health and wellness, offering an innovative approach to conversational AI.

eSelf’s Key Features

• Lightning-Fast Response Time: With an interaction response time of under 1.7 seconds, eSelf claims its video agents are faster and more lifelike than voice responses from competitors like OpenAI.

• No-Code Creation Studio: The platform allows users to design custom AI agents capable of handling tasks such as scheduling appointments, accessing collateral, and referencing data in real-time, integrating seamlessly with apps like Calendly and Salesforce - all without needing to code.

• Customer Success: During its stealth phase, eSelf powered millions of real-time conversations and onboarded customers like Christie’s Real Estate and Brazilian bank AGI.

• eSelf leverages fine-tuned models like Meta’s Llama, enabling users to integrate existing chatbot systems or adopt its platform for enhanced speed and functionality.

A Unique Founding Story

Bekker’s journey to founding eSelf is as compelling as the technology itself. Initially studying to become a Rabbi, he shifted to engineering, physics, and computer science after exploring existential questions. He enrolled in a machine learning course “completely by mistake,” he said, but it opened his eyes to a new realm of understanding that felt almost omniscient. “You can, with mathematics, understand natural language, vision, speech,” he said. “It was mind blowing.”

His fascination with machine learning led him to specialize in voice recognition, deep learning, and neural networks, eventually launching his first AI startup, Voca, which Snap acquired in 2020 for $100 million.

After leaving Snap in 2022, Bekker began envisioning a more interactive future for AI agents, incorporating video and voice to create a humanlike experience. Partnering with natural language processing expert Shoshan, the duo co-founded eSelf to bring this vision to life.

Competition in the AI Agent Space

eSelf enters a rapidly growing field of "agentic" AI, where startups and tech giants alike are racing to create lifelike AI agents. Competitors include Amazon, Anthropic, Eleven Labs, LinkedIn, and OpenAI, as well as platforms like Salesforce, which focus on enterprise-specific AI applications.

The challenge for these companies lies in overcoming significant hurdles such as high development costs and training requirements. By fine-tuning existing models rather than building its own from scratch, eSelf positions itself as an agile player in this competitive landscape.

Looking Ahead

As conversational AI evolves, eSelf’s focus on real-time video interaction could set it apart in industries where humanlike engagement is paramount. While the market for AI agents is becoming crowded, eSelf’s innovative approach and strong industry backing may help it carve out a niche.

The future of "agentic" AI will depend not only on technological advancements but also on user adoption and cost-effective scalability. If eSelf continues to deliver on its promise of speed and lifelike engagement, it could become a key player in reshaping how businesses and individuals interact with AI.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.