Bluesky’s AI assistant Attie is expanding into an open social search tool

AuntieBluesky Artificial intelligence assistant Which lets you create custom social feeds without programming, is evolving into an open search tool.

The company said this week that it has added a new feature to its AI assistant, called Quests, that allows users to ask it for information and news spread across the broader Bluesky social network, nicknamed Atmosphere. This includes not only Bluesky, but also any application that integrates with the underlying AT protocol.

Bluesky’s user growth has slowed over the past eight months, as the social network saw its user base double to 40 million last October, in just one year, but it is now reporting… About 45.6 million registered accounts. So the company was looking to develop tools and services that could allow it to grow its user base and monetize it.

came, It was launched in Marchis a separate product from Bluesky that allows users to design their own algorithm, create custom feeds, and perhaps one day, code their own applications. While the AI ​​assistant is currently free, the company has toyed with the idea of ​​charging for the service.

Tasks add new capabilities to Attie, allowing users to ask him open-ended questions to research what’s going on in this part of the open social web. For example, you can ask Attie to pull information about trending topics, or help you identify the most influential accounts in a particular industry or location, the company explained.

“Attie’s AI is a tool that helps you understand the Internet, and helps you combat the spread of misinformation and noise by giving you the tools to find the truth for yourself,” wrote Jay Graber, Bluesky’s chief innovation officer. In March, she resigned from her position as CEO of the company. (It’s been around ever since replacing By Tony Schneider, former founding CEO of Automattic.)

“Our bet is that tools that help people understand the world will be more useful than those that fill it with confusion,” Graeber wrote. “We want Attie to lower the barrier of entry and experience required to learn how to use the AT protocol, and put the tools to customize your experience into the hands of anyone who wants them.”

Graber noted that Attie is being redesigned to add accessibility features and a new logo, and more changes will be coming in the coming months.

Currently, the new Attie experience is in beta, and users will be invited to login through waiting list During the coming weeks.

While many Bluesky users tend to dislike AI for economic, political and environmental reasons, the company has had to balance its community’s predilections with the need to generate revenue to help itself and the development of the AT protocol it leads remains afloat.

In March, Ploskey said she had raised the value of the bond Financing worth $100 million On a tour that ends in 2025. This gives it a chance to try out ideas like Attie and how AI can play a role in Atmosphere, as well as other services, like a premium subscription or tools specifically for premium users.