Curio raises funds for Rio, an ‘AI information anchor’ in an app

As shops need, AI could make its method into the newsroom newsweek, Sports Illustrated, gizmodo, venturebeat, CNET, and others have experimented with the format. But whereas most respectable journalists would condemn this use case, there are a selection of startups that suppose AI can improve the information expertise – no less than on the patron facet. is the newest to affix the combat rioAn “AI News Anchor” designed to assist readers join with the tales and matters they’re most all for, from trusted sources.

New app, from the identical crew behind it AI-powered audio journalism startup Curiowas first unveiled on the South by Southwest competition in Austin final month. It has raised funding from Khosla Ventures and the top of TED. chris anderson, who additionally supported Curio. (The startup says the spherical hasn’t closed but, so it might probably’t disclose the quantity.)

While Curio was based in 2016 by former BBC strategist Govind Balakrishnan and London legal professionals Srikant ChakravartiRio is a brand new effort that may increase using Curio’s AI know-how.

First developed as a function inside Curio’s app, Rio scans headlines from trusted papers and magazines like Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, The Washington Post, and others, after which publishes that content material every day. Turns information into briefings which you could both learn or take note of.

Additionally, the crew says Rio will forestall customers from discovering themselves in an echo chamber by discovering information that expands their understanding of matters and encourages them to dive deeper.

Image Credit: Curio/Rio

In assessments, Rio created a every day briefing offered in a Story-like interface with graphics and hyperlinks to information articles that you may faucet on the backside of the display screen that might narrate the article utilizing an AI voice. (To be clear these had been full articles, not AI summaries). You transfer by way of headlines the identical method you progress by way of a Story on a social media app like Instagram.

Curio says that Rio’s AI know-how won’t fabricate data, and can solely reference content material from its trusted writer companions. It says Rio won’t use writer content material to coach LLMs (giant language fashions) with out “explicit consent.”

Image Credit: Curio/Rio

Apart from the briefing, you may as well work together with Rio within the AI ​​chatbot interface the place you’ll be able to ask about different matters of curiosity. Suggested matters – like “TikTok ban” or “Ukraine war” for instance – seem as little bullets above the textual content enter field. We discovered that the AI ​​was somewhat gradual to reply at occasions, however in any other case, it carried out as anticipated.

Additionally, Rio will provide to create an audio episode in your questions if you wish to be taught extra.

Co-founder Balakrishnan mentioned Curio customers had requested Rio greater than 20,000 questions Since it launched as a function in Curio final MayThis is why the corporate determined to include the know-how into its app.

“AI has us all wondering what is true and what is not. You can scan AI sites for quick answers, but blindly trusting them is a bit of a gamble,” Chakraborty mentioned in a press release launched round Rio’s debut at SXSW. “Reliable knowledge is difficult to obtain. Only a lucky few get access to fact-checked, verified information. Rio guides you through the news, turning everyday headlines into knowledge from trusted sources. Checking the news with Rio makes you feel fulfilled instead of disappointed,” he mentioned.

It’s arduous to say whether or not Rio is sticky sufficient to demand its personal standalone product, but it surely’s coming to massive information aggregators like Google News or Apple News, and even particular person publishers’ websites sooner or later. It is straightforward to think about such an interface. In the meantime, Curio can even proceed to department out, specializing in audio information.

Curio is not the one startup trying to AI to enhance the information studying expertise. East Twitter engineers are constructing Particle, an AI-powered information reader, backed by $4.4 million. Another AI-powered information app, Bulletin was additionally launched To current information summaries in addition to take care of clickbait. Artifact additionally took benefit of AI earlier than going out To TechCrunch’s dad or mum firm Yahoo.

Rio is at present in early entry, which means you will want an invite to affix. Otherwise, it’s possible you’ll be a part of the app’s ready checklist rionews.ai, The firm informed us it plans to launch it publicly later this summer time. (As a reward for studying all the best way down, 5 of you should utilize my very own invite hyperlink to get in.)