Ex-Meta AI leaders launch Yutori to reinvent web interaction with autonomous agents

By Fortune.com

A trio of former Meta AI researchers—Devi Parikh, Dhruv Batra, and Abhishek Das—have launched Yutori, a startup backed by Radical Ventures, Felicis, and prominent AI investors like Jeff Dean and Fei-Fei Li. The company has raised $15 million in seed funding to reinvent how users interact with the web through autonomous AI agents.

The Vision: AI as a Digital 'Chief of Staff'

The founders, who previously led Meta's generative AI and robotics research, aim to create AI agents that handle mundane digital tasks, freeing users to focus on more meaningful activities. Their long-term goal is to develop personal assistants that proactively manage web-based chores without user intervention.

"The web is simultaneously one of humanity’s greatest inventions—and really, really clunky," said Parikh. Yutori’s approach involves redesigning the entire user experience, from interface to technical infrastructure, to make AI agents more intuitive and adaptive.

Introducing Scouts: Autonomous Web Monitors

Yutori’s first product, Scouts, is a free tool that allows users to deploy AI agents to monitor the web for specific updates. For example:

• Tracking discounts on products like the Google Pixel 9.
• Scanning for tennis court availability in San Francisco.
• Delivering personalized news briefings on niche topics.

Unlike traditional tools like Google Alerts, Scouts operate autonomously, clicking through websites and aggregating real-time data. "No human wants to sit down and do that," said Das, who uses a Scout to book tennis courts.

A Bet on Elite Talent and Long-Term Innovation

Investors are backing Yutori primarily for its all-star team and ambitious vision. "Teams of this caliber just don’t come along very often," said Rob Toews of Radical Ventures. The founders, who have collaborated for years (Parikh and Batra are married, and Batra advised Das’s PhD), are testing their hypothesis that AI agents can seamlessly integrate into daily life.

What’s Next?

Yutori plans to iterate based on user feedback, with no immediate monetization strategy. The focus remains on refining agents to be proactive rather than reactive—anticipating user needs without manual input. The founders previously explored similar concepts at Meta, including AI assistants for Ray-Ban smart glasses.

For now, Scouts is available via a waiting list, signaling Yutori’s commitment to gradual, user-driven development. As Batra put it: "We still have a shot."

Read the full story on Fortune.com.