Read AI launches an email-based ‘digital twin’ to help you with schedules and answers

On Thursday, the innovative meeting notetaking platform Read AI unveiled Ada, an AI-driven email assistant designed to help users efficiently manage their schedules and respond to inquiries using a company’s knowledge base. Dubbed a "digital twin," Ada promises to operate around the clock, taking on various tasks to enhance productivity. Users can activate Ada by sending an email to "ada@read.ai" with the message "Get me started." Once configured, Ada assists in scheduling by responding to meeting requests with available times, and if those times don’t work, it suggests alternatives. Importantly, while Ada has access to your calendar, it maintains privacy by not disclosing the specifics of your meetings to others. In addition to scheduling, Ada can provide answers to questions based on previous discussions, company knowledge, and online resources. For example, if you ask, "Ada, can you give me an update on our Q1 goals?", it will supply relevant information. It can also draft responses to questions posed in email threads, allowing you to refine and approve them before sending. Justin Farris, Read AI’s VP of Product, highlighted that Ada operates without relying on model context protocols (MCPs). Instead, it builds a comprehensive knowledge graph from meeting data and integrated services to offer contextually relevant answers. He noted that Ada will evolve to take proactive actions, such as reminding users of follow-up items mentioned during meetings. CEO David Shim emphasized that integrating Ada into your workflow is akin to training a new employee, as its capabilities expand as more services are connected. Currently, Ada functions through email, but the team plans to extend its services to platforms like Slack and Teams in the near future. In a recent discussion at the Web Summit Qatar, Shim revealed that Read AI has surpassed 5 million monthly active users, with aspirations to double that figure. The platform sees approximately 50,000 new sign-ups daily, while around 100,000 users engage with Read AI’s content, such as meeting summaries, without needing an account. Despite the U.S. being the largest market for Read AI, 60% of its users are international, contributing to a balanced revenue stream. With over $81 million in funding, the company continues to enhance its offerings, having previously launched features like Search Copilot for knowledge discovery. The competitive landscape of meeting notetakers is also evolving, as companies like Granola and Quill introduce new tools to optimize meeting insights and actions.