Firsthand emerges from stealth mode, introducing a cutting-edge AI platform set to redefine how brands and publishers connect with consumers. Spearheaded by industry luminaries Jonathan Heller, Michael Rubenstein, and Wei Wei, Firsthand’s innovative technology enables the seamless creation and distribution of AI agents, facilitating direct, personalized interactions with consumers across the vast expanse of the online landscape.
Powered by applied generative AI, Firsthand’s platform empowers brands and publishers to craft AI agents infused with their unique expertise and content, all while maintaining ironclad control over their data and intellectual property. With the backing of a Seed round led by AI fund Radical Ventures, Firsthand heralds a new era where companies dictate the terms of engagement, harnessing the transformative potential of AI-driven interactions.
The advent of AI agents marks a paradigm shift, granting brands and publishers unprecedented access to engage in real-time, one-to-one exchanges with consumers, both on and off their digital domains. For decades, algorithms have dictated the flow of traffic and monetization, siphoning value away from content creators. Now, with AI agents at their disposal, companies can reclaim control, forging direct connections with their audiences while safeguarding the integrity of their brand identity.
Firsthand’s platform, comprising Lakebed and generative marketing agents, provides a holistic solution tailored to the evolving demands of the digital landscape. Lakebed serves as the cornerstone, offering content owners unparalleled control over the dissemination of their knowledge assets, ensuring that their content is wielded responsibly in AI-driven interactions. Meanwhile, generative marketing agents leverage approved content to facilitate personalized conversations, catering to consumers’ unique needs and preferences in real time.
Through Firsthand’s platform, brands stand to gain invaluable insights gleaned from direct consumer feedback, bolstering marketing strategies and product development initiatives. Publishers, too, reap the rewards, enjoying heightened audience engagement and unlocking new avenues for premium monetization—all while retaining full ownership and control over their content. For consumers, the benefits are equally compelling, with access to trusted sources and tailored information at their fingertips.
The Seed round, spearheaded by Radical Ventures and championed by industry stalwarts such as David Katz, signals a resounding vote of confidence in Firsthand’s vision. As the digital landscape braces for AI-driven disruption, Firsthand stands at the vanguard, offering a lifeline to publishers seeking to reclaim their autonomy and thrive in an era defined by innovation and change.
Amidst its unveiling, Firsthand embarks on a pilot program with a select group of brands and publishers, paving the way for a future where AI agents revolutionize brand-consumer interactions. As the digital frontier beckons, Firsthand beckons, promising a future where engagement is not just automated but deeply human, where brands and publishers forge lasting connections with their audiences in the ever-expanding realm of cyberspace.
