Apple approves Poke as first third‑party AI in iMessage

Apple has approved the first third-party AI agent to operate within its iMessage platform, a significant expansion of its messaging ecosystem. The startup Poke, launched in March, can now be accessed by iPhone users through Apple’s Business Messages service, which was previously reserved for communications with companies like airlines and retailers.

The AI assistant performs a wide range of tasks via text message, including daily planning, calendar management, email responses, fitness tracking, and controlling smart home devices. It can also generate images, conduct web searches, check users in for flights, and integrate with third-party services such as Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, and Philips Hue lights. The company reports its platform has already processed approximately 100 million messages across SMS, Telegram, and WhatsApp in some markets.

Poke’s approval required a months-long process to meet Apple’s standards. According to Marvin von Hagen, co-founder of The Interaction Company of California, which created Poke, the startup had to demonstrate it could offer live support if needed, clearly identify its interactions as coming from an AI agent, and customize its user interface...