# Instinct AI: The Personal Assistant That Actually Works A new AI bot is outperforming ChatGPT in practical life tasks. - **Source:** [The Age - Technology](https://www.theage.com.au/rss/technology.xml) - **Published:** 2026-09-20 - **Topic:** [Data & AI](https://brifing.si/c/data-ai) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ebf997ed-218e-43bd-adec-a52daeccca8e ## ChatGPT's limitations exposed While OpenAI's ChatGPT excels at creative tasks, many users find it ineffective for practical life administration. Sam Altman himself admitted to using AI for "boring" tasks like email organization, but even these applications remain limited. This gap in the market created an opportunity for more functional AI assistants that can handle real-world tasks efficiently. ## Instinct's practical demonstrations Instinct AI has shown remarkable capability in handling concrete tasks: chasing refunds from companies, locating lost devices, and even completing purchases. In one verified case, it successfully followed up with a Manchester company for a missing linen set refund. The bot's text-based interface makes these interactions seamless, using emojis to indicate task progress. ## Seamless user experience Unlike other AI tools that generate walls of text, Instinct operates through simple text or WhatsApp messages. It provides clear, concise updates and double-checks before executing transactions. This approach mirrors Steve Jobs' philosophy of technology that "just works," focusing on reliability rather than flashy features. ## Complete digital access required Instinct's effectiveness comes at a privacy cost - users must grant full access to emails, contacts, calendars, and payment methods. While powerful for task automation, this raises significant security concerns. Some users have reported unauthorized charges, highlighting potential risks of such comprehensive access. ## Rapid growth and valuation Founded in 2023 by 23-year-old Noah Shinn, Instinct has achieved remarkable growth. After private testing in February 2024, it raised $250 million at a $2.5 billion valuation by August. The company is now negotiating a further $1 billion raise, potentially reaching a $10 billion valuation within two years of operation. ## Current business model Instinct remains free for users, subsidized by investor funding. The minimalist approach extends to its onboarding - requiring only a referral from existing users. However, this free model is temporary, with plans to introduce charges as the service matures and expands its capabilities. ## Industry impact Instinct's success has disrupted major tech companies' AI assistant plans, including Meta's Muse and SpaceX's Grok Bot. It also challenges the narrative that big software firms would easily integrate AI into existing products, showing specialized bots can outperform general-purpose solutions for specific tasks. ## Future implications Instinct represents a shift in AI development priorities - from creative applications to practical problem-solving. Its success may accelerate development of specialized AI tools, potentially creating a new category of personal digital assistants that handle both professional and personal tasks with human-like reliability. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theage.com.au/technology/the-ai-app-that-silicon-valley-thinks-is-actually-useful-20260920-p60yh1.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_technology — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._