Delphi is a startup that has secured $16 million in funding from investors such as Anthropic and Olivia Wilde’s firm, Proximity Ventures. The company specializes in creating AI replicas of well-known individuals, allowing them to interact with fans through chat and voice calls. Delphi’s website emphasizes that prominent figures have valuable insights, but their time is limited; therefore, the service aims to provide accessible engagement. A notable feature of Delphi is a library of official clones that users can converse with, exemplified by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s clone, which attempts to deliver motivational messages and promote newsletters.
The technology raises questions about broader applications. For instance, could such AI replicas be useful for individuals who find themselves overwhelmed with commitments? One potential use case is having a clone participate in virtual meetings, thereby freeing up time for the actual individual. This concept is explored through Tavus, a Y Combinator alum that offers video avatars starting at $59 per month. These avatars can be programmed to reflect one’s personality and enter video calls, with the company describing their product as having “emotional intelligence of humans, with the reach of machines.” While the site lists roles like therapists and physician assistants as potential users, it does not specify personal assistants.
To experiment with Tavus, the process involved setting up a video recording to capture voice and appearance. After a brief onboarding, an avatar was created within hours. The avatar exhibited characteristics similar to its creator, but concerns about its effectiveness arose. Users can guide their clone’s personality and responses, yet the accuracy of the output may vary significantly. During testing, the avatar displayed repetitive behavior and failed to perform specific functions, such as accessing calendars. Overall, while the technology has promise, its reliability as a stand-in in professional settings remains uncertain.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/02/1122856/can-an-ai-doppelganger-help-me-do-my-job/