Eugenia Kuyda, best known as the founder of Replika, is bringing a long-held AI vision to life with Wabi. The new startup offers a personal AI assistant that is free and downloadable, making the technology accessible to a broad audience from day one.
What makes the launch especially notable is its full-circle story: Kuyda first pitched the idea of an AI assistant at TechCrunch Disrupt 12 years ago. Now, with major advances in conversational AI and consumer adoption, Wabi arrives at a moment when personal AI tools are becoming far more capable and useful.
Why it matters
- Accessible by design: Wabi is available for free, lowering the barrier for people to try a personal AI assistant.
- Founder experience: Kuyda’s background with Replika gives the project deep roots in human-centered AI interaction.
- Consumer AI momentum: The launch reflects a broader shift from AI demos and concepts to everyday products people can actually use.
For users, Wabi could represent another step toward AI assistants that feel more personal, approachable, and integrated into daily life. For the AI industry, it is a reminder that some of today’s most promising products are ideas that were ahead of their time just a decade ago.