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Poke: Bringing Agentic AI Assistance To The Masses

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 9, 2026

Poke, an AI assistant developed by The Interaction Company of California, launched publicly in March. The product operates through messaging platforms including iMessage, SMS, Telegram, and WhatsApp in select markets. The service allows users to assign tasks to an AI agent through text-based interactions.

Agentic AI For Everyday Use

Poke is designed to perform tasks rather than provide general responses. Functions include calendar management, health tracking, and control of connected devices. The system operates through messaging interfaces, allowing users to execute actions without switching between applications.

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Meeting The Demand For A Simplified AI Experience

Interest in agent-based AI systems has increased across the technology sector, particularly as companies explore automation tools for everyday use. Some existing solutions require complex setup or raise security concerns. Poke provides access through a web interface, allowing users to begin without downloading additional applications or configuring systems.

Leveraging Diverse AI Models And Integrations

The platform selects AI models depending on task requirements, using a mix of proprietary and open-source systems. This approach allows flexibility across different use cases. Integration with messaging platforms is supported through infrastructure such as Linq, enabling operation across SMS and Telegram. Availability on WhatsApp depends on regional conditions and platform policies.

A Secure, Scalable, And Customizable Platform

The company said the system includes layered security measures such as permission controls and regular testing procedures. These safeguards are designed to protect user data and maintain system reliability. Pricing is based on usage patterns, with basic features available at no cost and additional charges applied to higher-frequency or real-time tasks.

Investments And Vision For Global Adoption

Poke has raised funding from investors, including Spark Capital and General Catalyst, reaching a $300 million valuation after recent rounds. Marvin von Hagen, co-founder of Poke, said the product evolved from an email-based assistant into a broader system focused on task execution, based on user behavior and demand. The company is also working with creators and online communities to expand use cases, with user-generated automation workflows contributing to the platform’s development.

The Road Ahead

Poke operates in a market that includes large technology companies and specialized AI providers developing agent-based systems. The product focuses on task execution through messaging platforms as the adoption of automation tools continues to expand.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.