Peter Mo, a former executive at Plaud, has launched Ambi, an AI-powered app designed to listen continuously in the background and provide real-time insights and assistance. The startup recently secured $26 million in funding from investors including Luminous Ventures and Huaqin, aiming to deliver seamless support through iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch applications. Unlike traditional meeting notetakers that generate summaries post-conversation, Ambi’s AI agent actively offers suggestions and relevant information during meetings, drawing from users’ calendars, knowledge bases, and web data.

Ambi plans to broaden its intelligence capabilities by introducing a desktop app that monitors users’ workflows to offer more personalized assistance. The company is also developing proprietary hardware featuring a screen, speaker, camera, and microphones to better capture context and provide timely information. This move reflects Ambi’s vision of an always-on AI helper accessible anytime, anywhere, enhancing productivity by bridging devices and environments.

Despite its promise, Ambi’s approach to constant audio capture raises significant privacy concerns. The app’s ambient listening feature is off by default and can be disabled by users, with data encrypted and no recordings stored. However, the startup places responsibility on users to inform others about recording, highlighting a broader industry challenge regarding transparency and consent when recording conversations in shared spaces.

Currently employing over 50 people across offices in San Francisco, Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, Ambi is expanding its teams in AI engineering and go-to-market functions. The company is entering a competitive and scrutinized market where the balance between innovative AI support and privacy protections will be crucial for user trust and long-term success.