Zain Javaid, a 19-year-old entrepreneur, has raised $11 million in seed funding to launch Ghost, a startup focused on personal AI technology. The company’s debut product, called Core, is a $3,499 personal computer built specifically to run AI agents that act on behalf of the user. Backed by investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Abstract, and SV Angel, Ghost emerged from stealth mode after a year of development and aims to centralize a user's data and smart devices into one dedicated AI-driven platform.

Core features specialized hardware such as an Nvidia RTX Pro 4000 SFF Blackwell GPU, which is integrated into the device price so users don’t need separate components. The device runs AI models continuously and independently, equipped with a custom software layer that includes its own browser and filing system. Users access Core via their phones or apps rather than a screen on the device itself, with voice interaction available through the companion app.

The company emphasizes privacy and autonomy, with all personal data stored and processed locally on the device, encrypted to prevent third-party access. Ghost also includes security measures like a firewall that controls the AI agents’ network activity, ensuring users maintain full control over their data and the level of autonomy their AI agents have. The product is designed to function independently even if the startup were to cease operations.

Javaid highlights that Core differentiates itself from general-purpose computers like Apple’s Mac Mini by being optimized for AI agent activity with built-in models and continuous updates delivered over the air. The team believes software innovation in how AI understands and assists users’ lives is critical, rather than just hardware. Preorders for the Core begin early October, with shipments expected by the end of the month, as Ghost’s team strives to create a compelling new category of personal AI computing.