Apple Approves First AI Agent for Messages for Business

Apple has officially integrated a third-party AI agent into its Messages for Business platform for the first time. The startup behind this milestone is Poke, a Palo Alto-based company that simplifies complex AI interactions by delivering them through the familiar interface of text messaging.

Until now, Apple’s business messaging infrastructure was primarily reserved for corporate entities—such as airlines, retail chains, and hospitality groups—to facilitate direct communication between brands and their customers. By granting Poke access, Apple is opening the door to stand-alone AI agents on the service.

Functionality and Market Reach

Since its launch in March, Poke has aimed to make AI agents accessible to general users, bypassing the need for command-line expertise or complex setups. The platform currently handles a variety of daily tasks, including:

• Calendar management and daily planning
• Smart home control
• Health and fitness tracking
• Photo editing requests

The company reports that it has already processed approximately 100 million messages. While it previously operated via SMS, Telegram, and WhatsApp in select regions, the addition of Apple Messages for Business provides a significant new channel for the service.

The Approval Process and Business Model

Marvin von Hagen, co-founder of The Interaction Company of California, noted that the approval process was rigorous, spanning several months. To meet Apple’s standards, the startup had to ensure the AI could provide live support if necessary, maintain clear identification as an AI entity, and adhere to specific UI guidelines, such as utilizing link previews rather than inline links.

Regarding the financial structure, von Hagen clarified that the company pays its messaging service provider on a per-user basis. He emphasized that these costs are considerably lower than the fees associated with Meta AI, which were adjusted following European Union regulations requiring the inclusion of third-party agents on WhatsApp.

Growth and Valuation

The startup, which currently consists of a 10-person team, recently secured an additional $10 million in funding, building upon a $15 million seed round from the previous year. This latest injection of capital brings the company’s post-money valuation to $300 million. Investors backing the venture include Spark Capital and General Catalyst, among others.

As the tech industry looks toward Apple’s upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), there is widespread anticipation regarding potential announcements involving Siri and broader AI strategies. While von Hagen remains uncertain about Apple’s specific future roadmap, he expressed confidence in the current direction: “I think Apple is just noticing this is the best way to offer AI.”