Apple approves Poke as the first AI agent on its Messages for Business platform

Apple has approved Poke, an AI agent startup, as the first AI agent to operate on its Messages for Business platform. This marks a significant shift as the platform, previously exclusive for businesses to communicate with customers, now welcomes third-party AI agents.

Poke, launched in March, aims to make AI agents accessible to everyone. It allows users to manage daily planning, calendars, health, smart homes, and photo editing through simple text messages. The service currently operates across SMS, Telegram, and WhatsApp, now adding iMessage to its supported platforms.

This approval comes ahead of Apple's anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference, where new AI tools are expected to be unveiled. While not a consumer-facing app, Poke on Messages for Business enables direct consumer-to-business interaction through iMessage, facilitating inquiries, support, and appointments without phone calls.

The business model for this integration involves Poke paying Apple on a per-user basis, a fee described as significantly lower than Meta AI's. This arrangement could create a substantial new revenue stream for Apple and introduce a new distribution cost for AI agent startups.

Obtaining Apple’s approval was a rigorous process, requiring Poke to demonstrate live support capabilities, clear AI agent identification, and adherence to Apple’s strict UI guidelines. This includes displaying link previews and adopting Apple’s style guide for interface elements.

Co-founder Marvin von Hagen emphasized the importance of trust and quality in securing Apple’s approval, noting the lengthy process involved in meeting all standards. Poke is currently rolling out invitations for existing users to transition to the iMessage experience.