From Residency To AI: How Jenny Shao Is Redefining Emotional Support With Robyn

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 12, 2025

Former Harvard resident and practicing physician Jenny Shao observed the profound neurological effects of isolation during the pandemic. This insight propelled her to leave a promising medical career and launch Robyn, an AI assistant designed to provide empathetic support to those in need.

Innovating Emotional Intelligence Through Technology

Robyn is engineered to be more than just a chatbot. Drawing from Shao’s firsthand experiences, the platform is built as an emotionally intelligent companion—positioned expressly to support users rather than replace clinical intervention. By distinguishing itself from general-purpose tools like ChatGPT and companion apps such as Character AI and Replika, Robyn stands apart as a tool focused on enhancing emotional well-being.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Scientific Foundations And Personalized Interaction

Influenced by her work under Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel in the study of human memory, Shao has infused Robyn with the capability to learn and adapt much like a human recollection system. Users engage with the app through an onboarding process reminiscent of top mental health platforms, detailing their personal goals, emotional responses, and desired conversational tone. As the dialogue deepens, the AI provides insights into individual patterns, such as emotional fingerprint, attachment style, and intrinsic growth edges.

Responsible Innovation And User Safety

Understanding the critical balance between technology and human emotion, Shao’s team has incorporated robust safety measures within Robyn. The AI directs users to crisis resources when necessary, and deliberately limits responses on non-personal topics, ensuring its focus remains on personal emotional support rather than generic functions. This careful curation is designed to prevent overreliance and mitigate potential risks, underscoring a commitment to responsible innovation.

Backing From Leading Investors

Robyn has attracted significant investor interest, raising $5.5 million in seed funding led by M13. The round also included notable backers such as Google Maps co-founder Lars Rasmussen, early Canva investor Bill Tai, ex-Yahoo CFO Ken Goldman, and Christian Szegedy of X.ai. From a modest team of three at the start of the year, the startup now employs ten professionals as it prepares for broader market impact.

Tackling The Challenge Of Emotional Disconnection

Robyn emerges as a timely solution to a growing disconnection in modern society. By offering tailored insights and fostering self-reflection, the platform enhances users’ ability to connect with themselves—and, by extension, with others. In an era where technology often isolates individuals, Robyn is a strategic tool to bridge the emotional divide, reinforcing the importance of genuine human connection.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Paramount Closes $110 Billion Warner Bros. Discovery Deal, Creating Skydance Entertainment Giant

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 6, 2026

Paramount has completed its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing together two of the most powerful names in media under a new combined company, Skydance. The deal, announced Tuesday, creates one of the largest entertainment mergers ever completed and reshapes the competitive landscape across streaming, film, television and cable.

A New Power Center In Global Entertainment

The combined company unites Paramount+ and HBO Max, alongside a broad portfolio of networks that includes CBS, CNN, MTV, TBS, Comedy Central and Food Network. It also gives Skydance control over some of the industry’s most valuable franchises, including The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, the DC Universe and Yellowstone.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

For the industry, the scale of the transaction is as significant as the assets themselves. In an era defined by streaming competition and rising content costs, ownership of established intellectual property has become a strategic advantage akin to controlling a premium distribution network in a previous media cycle.

Ellison Expands His Influence

The merger places one of the world’s largest entertainment studios under the control of David Ellison, who only last year completed the combination of Skydance Media and Paramount. With this latest transaction, Ellison is accelerating his rise as one of Hollywood’s most influential executives.

The Ellison family remains Skydance’s largest shareholder, backed by the financial power of Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder and David Ellison’s father. That support gives the company considerable flexibility as it integrates two sprawling media businesses and seeks to compete more aggressively across platforms.

Legal Hurdles Cleared Before Closing

The deal’s completion follows settlements with a coalition of U.S. states and a Hollywood writers’ union, removing the principal legal obstacles that had threatened to delay or derail the merger.

Paramount first announced in February that it would pursue Warner Bros. Discovery after a bidding contest with Netflix, which had earlier struck its own agreement to acquire Warner Bros.’ film and television studios and streaming operations, excluding the cable networks. Paramount strengthened its offer by promising shareholders additional cash if the deal failed to close by a set deadline and by agreeing to cover the breakup fee owed to Netflix.

What Skydance Says Comes Next

“Today is a historic day, not just for Skydance but for our entire industry,” Ellison said in a statement. “From the start, our ambition was to bring these two storied studios together and create a stronger competitor, with the talent, resources, and reach to tell great stories in every genre, on every platform, for audiences everywhere. Our focus now turns to the future: building a company that empowers creatives, entertains audiences and rewards shareholders. We couldn’t be more excited to get to work.”

Skydance said the combined company will generate nearly $70 billion in annual revenue. The company’s Class B shares are set to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange today under the ticker symbol SKYD.

Breaking news