AI Companion Pallie AI Raises $2 Million to Reduce Loneliness and Improve Wellbeing
SAN FRANCISCO, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pallie AI, a technology company developing an AI-powered companion supporting health and wellbeing, today announced it has raised $2 million in pre-seed funding led by Silicon Valley venture capital firm True Ventures, with participation from the health-tech investor Palta known for backing the unicorn Flo. The funding will accelerate the development of Pallie's AI companion, who acts as a friend, confidant, and wellness coach providing users with their Apple Health data analysis and personalized wellness support in their favorite messaging app.
Pallie's technology combines AI with an empathic, highly personalized, human-like interaction to address two critical challenges in modern society: loneliness and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Pallie engages with users like a good friend to provide social and emotional support through natural conversation. It further delivers personalized health recommendations — informed by advanced AI algorithms and Apple Health data — designed to boost the user's motivation for wellbeing.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, a Gallup report found the rate of loneliness among U.S. adults to be on the rise again at 20% after a temporary downward trend following the COVID-19 pandemic. Global reports on loneliness from the pandemic pointed even higher. The Gallup report cites social wellbeing specifically as a key factor in reducing feelings of loneliness.
To combat loneliness, Pallie seamlessly integrates into users' daily lives through existing messaging platforms, requiring no additional app downloads or sign-ups. "Pallie is a pro at maintaining engaging, natural conversations that foster genuine connection and a sense that someone's looking out for your best interests," commented Ivan Zolotukhin, CEO and founder of Pallie. "Pallie is powered by advanced AI agents designed not just to assist, but to connect. Unlike most AIs, which can feel robotic, Pallie is so natural and relatable that users chat with it for hours about movies, books, and memorable meals — just like they would with a friend."
Pallie's features include a growing collection of long-term wellbeing programs that help users increase physical activity, improve sleep quality, connect with new people, and make better nutrition choices. Its guidance becomes progressively intelligent through discovery and interpretation of patterns in user's health data, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the user through contextual awareness of their daily life — incorporating calendared events, relevant news, weather, and local spots of interest aligned with their wellbeing goals and preferences.
"We've long been captivated by the future of human-computer interfaces, and we are certain that AI will become an even more ambient presence in our lives in the very near future," said Jon Callaghan, co-founder at True Ventures. "When we met Ivan and his team at Pallie, we were amazed by their creation and how effortlessly their personalized agents integrated into the daily routines of their users. Experiencing it offers a glimpse into the future — Pallie exemplifies the incredible potential of AI to adapt to human behavior (in this case, by texting) and deliver meaningful value. We are thrilled to partner with Pallie to support their vision of the future of AI in our daily lives."
"Our team of PhD researchers, top-tier data scientists, and health industry veterans has created something truly unique," added Zolotukhin. "Imagine having the world's most intelligent AI right by your side constantly thinking about you — one that truly gets you and is there for life's daily challenges. That's what we've created with Pallie. It's not just about tracking health metrics; it's about having a supportive presence that nudges you toward better choices, celebrates your wins, and offers a steadying hand during tough times — all while keeping safety and privacy at the core."
The funding will be used to enhance the AI's capabilities, expand its range of wellness programs, and scale the platform to reach more users globally. Start talking with Pallie and explore its capabilities in beta, no app download required.
About Pallie AI
Pallie AI, a product from AI Companions, Inc., is an AI friend and health buddy focused on supporting emotional and social wellbeing. Led by PhD researchers and esteemed data scientists, Pallie is both a friend and health coach that communicates naturally with its users through popular messaging platforms while leveraging Apple Health data for personalized guidance. Pallie AI's mission is to combat loneliness and promote healthier lifestyles through accessible, intelligent, and empathetic AI interaction. Learn more athttps://pallie.ai.
About True Ventures
Founded in 2005, True Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm that invests in early stage technology startups. With more than $3.8 billion under management, True provides pre-seed, seed, and Series A financing to founders in some of today's fastest growing markets. To learn more, visitwww.trueventures.com.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ai-companion-pallie-ai-raises-2-million-to-reduce-loneliness-and-improve-wellbeing-302441202.html
SOURCE AI Companions, Inc.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
14 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
US pediatricians' new COVID-19 shot recommendations differ from CDC advice
NEW YORK — For the first time in 30 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics is substantially diverging from U.S. government vaccine recommendations. The group's new COVID-19 recommendations — released Tuesday — come amid a tumultuous year for public health, as vaccine skeptics have come into power in the new Trump administration and government guidance has become increasingly confusing. This isn't going to help, acknowledged Dr. James Campbell, vice chair of the AAP infectious diseases committee. 'It is going to be somewhat confusing. But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them,' he added. The AAP is strongly recommending COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years. Shots also are advised for older children if parents want their kids vaccinated, the AAP said. That differs from guidance established under U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which doesn't recommend the shots for healthy children of any age but says kids may get the shots in consultation with physicians. Children ages 6 months to 2 years are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and it was important that recommendations continue to emphasize the need for them to get vaccinated, said Campbell, a University of Maryland infectious diseases expert. Vaccinations also are recommended for older children who have chronic lung diseases or other conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease, the AAP said. In a statement, Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said 'the AAP is undermining national immunization policymaking with baseless political attacks.' He accused the group of putting commercial interests ahead of public health, noting that vaccine manufacturers have been donors to the AAP's Friends of Children Fund. The fund is currently paying for projects on a range of topics, including health equity and prevention of injuries and deaths from firearms. The 95-year-old Itasca, Illinois-based organization has issued vaccination recommendations for children since the 1930s. In 1995, it synced its advice with recommendations made by the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been a few small differences between AAP and CDC recommendations since then. For example, the AAP has advised that children get HPV vaccinations starting at age 9; the CDC says that's OK but has emphasized vaccinations at ages 11 and 12. But in 30 years, this is the first time the recommendations have differed 'in a significant or substantial way,' Campbell said. Until recently, the CDC — following recommendations by infectious disease experts — has been urging annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. But in May, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. A few days later, the CDC issued language that healthy children may get the shots, but that there was no longer a 'should' recommendation. The idea that healthy older kids may be able to skip COVID-19 boosters has been brewing for some time among public health experts. As the COVID-19 pandemic has waned, experts have increasingly discussed the possibility of focusing vaccination efforts on people 65 and older — who are among those most as risk for death and hospitalization. A CDC expert panel in June was set to make recommendations about the fall shots. Among the options the panel was considering was whether suggest shots for high-risk groups but still giving lower-risk people the choice to get vaccinated. But Kennedy bypassed the group, and also decided to dismiss the 17-member panel and appoint his own, smaller panel, that included vaccine skeptics. Kennedy also later excluded the AAP, the American Medical Association and other top medical organizations from working with the advisers to establish vaccination recommendations. Kennedy's new vaccine panel has yet to vote on COVID-19 shot recommendations. The panel did endorse continuing to recommend fall flu vaccinations, but also made a decision that led to another notable difference with the AAP. The new advisory panel voted that people should only get flu vaccines that are packaged as single doses and do not contain the preservative thimerosal. The AAP said there is no evidence of harm from the preservative, and recommended doctors use any licensed flu vaccine product that's appropriate for the patient.
UPI
an hour ago
- UPI
21 state AG's ask feds to ban 'designer Xanax' after Kentucky ban
1 of 2 | "This deadly drug has no place in our communities, and now we have the tools needed to get it off the streets and protect more lives," two-term Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear (pictured at the August 2024 DNC in Chicago, Ill.) said Monday. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Kentucky designated "bromazolam" as a Schedule 1 controlled substance as Gov. Andy Beshear also led a push to have it designated similarly at the federal level. Beshear announced the effort to ban the drug, also known as "designer Xanax" Monday after bromazolam was detected in at least 48 overdose deaths in Kentucky last year. "This deadly drug has no place in our communities, and now we have the tools needed to get it off the streets and protect more lives," the two-term Democratic governor said in a statement. The governor's signature immediately banned the drug from being sold in Kentucky and empowered law enforcement to act and arrest for sales or possession. It also provides further tools for authorities in Beshear's statewide crackdown. A 2021 report suggested that overdose deaths linked to illicit "designer" drugs had surged in the United States a staggering 520% between 2019 and 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from 32 states and the District of Columbia. On Monday, the rumored Democratic presidential candidate pointed to "important progress" in Kentucky's fight against addiction with three straight years of declines in overdose deaths. "And we're committed to ensuring that work continues," Beshear added. Beshear's executive action this week reportedly came following a request by the state's Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman. "We live in a moment when as little as one pill can kill -- and is killing -- our kids," Coleman said Monday in a joint statement with Beshear. "I'm glad we could work together to tackle this grave threat," he added on the bipartisan effort to rid the streets of the "designer" bromazolam. In 1985 the federal government enacted its ban on the so-called "designer drug" Ecstasy entirely due to the fact it was created by chemists and Ecstasy spin-offs were starting to hit the streets. Coleman and 20 other GOP state attorneys general are now calling on the federal government to follow state actions. "Despite its clear dangers, bromazolam remains unscheduled at the federal level, creating significant challenges for law enforcement and public health officials trying to respond to this emerging crisis," read a letter in part to DEA Administrator Terry Cole signed by Coleman and Alabama's Attorney General Steve Marshall, Tim Griffin in Arkansas, Florida's James Uthmeier, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, Indiana's Attorney General Todd Rokita and Brenna Bird from Iowa, Liz Murrill of Louisiana, Lynn Fitch of Mississippi, Montana's Austin Knudsen, Mike Hilgers of Nebraska, Drew Wrigley of North Dakota, Dave Yost of Ohio, Oklahoma's Gentner Drummond, Pennsylvania's new Attorney General Dave Sunday, Alan Wilson of South Carolina, Marty Jackley of South Dakota, Jonathan Skrmetti of Tennessee, Virgina's Jason Miyares, John 'JB' McCuskey of West Virginia and Ken Paxton of Texas. Coleman's letter pointed to how the originally synthesized but never approved for medical use bromazolam is now being illegally sold on the streets and in online platforms. The band of Republican state chief law enforcement officers argues that without its scheduling on a federal level, bromazolam will continue to "evade traditional regulatory and prosecutorial tools," which they added will hinder interdiction efforts and enable "continued distribution through illicit channels." "Virginia took proactive action by scheduling bromazolam," Virginia's Attorney General Jason Miyares said Monday. "Now, I'm encouraging federal action to ensure every state has the same tools to protect Americans," the Republican AG and first Latino elected to statewide office in Virginia posted on social media.
The Hill
2 hours ago
- The Hill
Leading pediatric group breaks with RFK Jr., recommends COVID shots for young kids
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Tuesday recommended that parents vaccinate all infants and young children against COVID-19, a break from Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his criticism of widespread vaccination. The group recommended all infants and children 6 months through 23 months get vaccinated against COVID-19 to help protect against serious illness. Children under 2 years old are especially vulnerable to severe COVID-19 and should be prioritized for vaccination, AAP said, unless they have a known allergy to the vaccine or its ingredients. The COVID recommendations were part of AAP's broader guidance for parents and pediatricians ahead of respiratory virus season and come as medical groups fight against what they see as Kennedy's efforts to undermine childhood vaccinations, including against the coronavirus. Kennedy in May announced in a video posted on X that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend routine COVID-19 shots for healthy children because of a lack of any clinical data to justify yearly vaccines. 'The AAP will continue to provide recommendations for immunizations that are rooted in science and are in the best interest of the health of infants, children and adolescents,' AAP President Susan J. Kressly said in a statement. 'Pediatricians know how important routine childhood immunizations are in keeping children, families and their communities healthy and thriving.' The CDC did not go as far as Kennedy wanted on COVID shots and instead recommended 'shared decision making' between parents and clinicians to decide whether a healthy child should get a shot. AAP also advised shared decision making for children ages 2-18 whose parent or guardian desires them to have the protection of the vaccine. But the Food and Drug Administration did not approve Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for use in healthy young children, only those with a health condition that puts them at increased risk of severe illness. Since it was founded in 1930, AAP has published evidence-based vaccine guidance to support pediatricians. But it has not traditionally differed substantially from federal recommendations. AAP and HHS have been at odds for months, and tensions reached a head when Kennedy dismissed all the members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replaced them with his own handpicked representatives, including some outright vaccine skeptics. AAP's recommendation 'differs from recent recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC, which was overhauled this year and replaced with individuals who have a history of spreading vaccine misinformation,' the group said in a statement. AAP chose not to participate in the reconstituted panel's first meeting in June, calling it 'illegitimate.' Kennedy later excluded AAP along with other top medical organizations from working with the panel to research and help influence vaccination recommendations. For decades, ACIP recommended which shots Americans should get and when. The Affordable Care Act requires all insurance companies to cover, for free, the vaccines recommended by the panel. Those recommendations also help states decide which shots should be mandated for schoolchildren. The panel has yet to vote on COVID-19 shot recommendations. Kennedy's shake-up is throwing that system into chaos. Outside physician and public health groups have been pressuring insurance companies to continue covering vaccines, no matter what ACIP does. 'The AAP urges every insurer to cover all the vaccines that are included in this immunization schedule,' Kressly said in the statement. 'AAP is committed to working with our partners at the local, state and federal levels to make sure every child, in every community has access to vaccines.'
