SRI Launches Kasisto Virtual Personal Assistant Technology Venture

SRI International today announced the launch of Kasisto, its latest spin-off venture. Using state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technology, Kasisto aims to improve the consumer experience on mobile devices through intelligent conversation.

Siri, also an SRI spinoff, first popularized the idea of conversation with a mobile virtual personal assistant. Kasisto takes mobile conversation to the next level, enabling consumers to perform complex tasks on their mobile devices. The Kasisto conversational artificial intelligence platform allows enterprises to integrate branded conversational virtual personal assistants into their mobile applications.

The Kasisto conversational platform is context-aware and provides text, touch, and speech modalities, and natural language understanding and reasoning. The platform also includes a software development kit (SDK) for customization and integration into existing mobile applications.

"Virtual personal assistant technology has revolutionized consumer interaction with mobile devices," said Norman Winarsky, vice president of SRI Ventures, in a statement. "Now consumers expect a more human-like experience when interacting online. Kasisto represents a new user experience, one that is context aware, personalized, and more effective."

Kasisto's first customers are in the financial services industry. The company is leveraging decades of R&D at SRI and work done in collaboration with BBVA, a global financial services group. BBVA is a strategic partner to Kasisto, bringing in-depth knowledge of the banking industry and its regulatory requirements, and deep understanding of customer needs.

"BBVA is committed to moving the banking industry into the 21st Century, and our collaboration with Kasisto moves that vision forward," said Dave Kucera, director of innovation for BBVA's U.S. unit, BBVA Compass, in a statement. "Our commitment is to innovation and to the best technologies that enhance customer experience. We expect our work with Kasisto will do just that for us, and for other banks as well."

"Our innovative approach to intelligent system design, combined with low-cost deployment, will help banks improve customer service and maximize investment in the mobile channel," said Zor Gorelov, CEO and co-founder of Kasisto, in a statement.