Imagine leaving behind a digital version of yourself that can interact with your loved ones long after you're gone. It sounds like science fiction, but it's exactly what Robert LoCascio, the visionary founder of LivePerson, set out to achieve with his new venture. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this a heartfelt way to preserve legacies, or are we crossing ethical boundaries by creating digital doppelgängers? Let’s dive in.
After nearly three decades at the helm of LivePerson, the company credited with pioneering web chat in 1997, LoCascio stepped down as CEO in 2023. Inspired by the rapid advancements in generative AI, he embarked on a new mission: to replicate human beings—their stories, personalities, and decision-making traits—with unparalleled accuracy. In 2024, he founded and self-funded Eternos, a service designed to help people preserve their voice and memories for future generations. The startup gained widespread attention when its first client, Michael Bommer, who was terminally ill, shared how he collaborated with Eternos to create a digital replica of himself after 25 hours of conversations about his life, interests, and worldview.
And this is the part most people miss: While LoCascio initially envisioned Eternos as a tool for those preparing for death, he was surprised to find that most users were not focused on mortality. Instead, they saw potential in using the technology for professional and personal growth. This realization led to a pivot. Eternos has now rebranded as Uare.ai, shifting its focus to creating personal AI models that can be used as scaling tools for creators and professionals.
Uare.ai’s core innovation is the Human Life Model (HLM), a framework that relies exclusively on an individual’s data to capture their unique values, life story, and decision-making traits. Unlike traditional large language models (LLMs) that draw from general datasets, HLMs are tailored to the individual. As LoCascio explained to TechCrunch, “I started to realize that the big models are getting smarter because of our data. But we don’t have to take that path. You own the model, and you can share it and monetize it.”
The company recently announced a $10.3 million seed funding round led by Mayfield and Boldstart Ventures, signaling strong investor confidence in its vision. Uare.ai’s platform, set to launch later this year, will allow users to train their HLMs by answering questions about their lives through text, voice, and video. The process begins with capturing a person’s life story—their origins, pivotal moments, and formative experiences. Users then provide additional facts, such as professional details, which are blended with their narrative to create a personalized AI model.
Here’s the bold part: Unlike chatbots like Character.ai, Uare.ai’s models won’t rely on general LLMs to fill knowledge gaps. If the AI doesn’t know the answer, it will simply admit it. This transparency sets Uare.ai apart and underscores its commitment to authenticity.
The company plans to monetize through subscription fees or by taking a share of revenue generated by users who leverage their digital twins for income. For instance, a CPA could deploy their AI to handle client interactions or generate content, effectively scaling their expertise.
Uare.ai isn’t alone in the personal AI space. Competitors like Sequoia-backed Delphi have already attracted high-profile users, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose digital replica allows fans to interact with his knowledge via voice or text. However, Navin Chaddha, managing partner at Mayfield, believes Uare.ai stands out due to its focus on individual professionals and LoCascio’s proven track record as an entrepreneur.
As Uare.ai prepares to launch, it raises thought-provoking questions: Are we ready for a world where digital replicas of ourselves can work, create, and interact on our behalf? And what are the ethical implications of blurring the line between human and machine? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you see this as a groundbreaking innovation or a step too far?
For more insights, you can reach Marina Temkin, the TechCrunch reporter covering this story, at marina.temkin@techcrunch.com or via encrypted message at +1 347-683-3909 on Signal. Her expertise in venture capital and startups makes her the go-to source for understanding the implications of this emerging technology.
