The rise of SMS-native AI agents

A growing number of AI agent startups are launching products accessible exclusively or primarily through text messaging platforms like iMessage, RCS, and WhatsApp. Key players include Instinct, which recently raised $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation, and Caddy, which integrates with calendar and email data to automate scheduling. Other entrants such as Fambot, Folk, and Ollie are targeting specific niches like family coordination and household management. These agents function by connecting to existing user services via API, allowing them to perform tasks like booking reservations or sending emails directly from a chat thread. The trend signals a move toward 'invisible' AI interfaces that require no dedicated app installation.