A Smart Keyboard That Gets Things Done for You

Singapore-based startup Acti, named after the word Action, has launched an AI-powered keyboard for iOS and Android. It does more than predict words. It can also complete tasks for users without making them leave the app they are using.

The company’s goal is simple. It wants to bring AI agents directly into the keyboard. This allows users to access AI while using email, messaging apps, social media, and other mobile applications. There is no need to switch to a separate chatbot.

One AI Across Every App

According to founder Wang, today’s AI assistants have one major weakness. User data and context are scattered across different apps. As a result, AI often loses track of what the user is doing.

In an interview with TechCrunch, Wang said the Acti keyboard works across all apps. This gives AI one shared understanding of the user instead of creating separate contexts for each app. He believes this will help shape the next generation of AI agents.

Completing Tasks Inside the Chat

Acti puts AI directly into the keyboard. Users can finish tasks without leaving the conversation.

For example, if a friend asks for a nearby restaurant, the keyboard can recommend one immediately. If someone mentions a stock, Acti can look up the latest price and send it in the chat. Users do not need to open a browser or another app.

Powered by Google Gemini

Acti uses Google’s Gemini AI models. The company chose Gemini because it offers a good balance of speed, accuracy, language support, and cost.

The keyboard also includes a feature called Skills. These are custom shortcuts that perform several actions with one long press. For example, holding the T key can translate a message. Holding the C key can create and share a meeting link.

Privacy Comes First

Acti follows a Local-First approach. User data stays on the device by default. It is not sent to the cloud unless the user enables a feature that requires cloud processing.

The company also says it does not access or store private messages or conversations.

Built by an Experienced Team

Wang spent more than 10 years at Baidu. During that time, he helped build Facemoji Keyboard, which reached more than 300 million daily active users.

He believes Large Language Models (LLMs) have changed the way people write. Users no longer type only to create text. They type to express an intention. AI can then turn that intention into an action. This idea inspired Acti.

Create Skills Without Coding

Users can create new Skills without writing code. They simply describe the task in plain language. The AI then builds the automation automatically.

The company says early users created more than 1,000 Skills in less than two weeks.

Users can keep these Skills private or share them through a marketplace. The marketplace already includes tools such as World Cup trackers and Polymarket link generators. In the future, developers will also be able to earn money from their creations.

Raised $5.3 Million

Acti launched alongside a $5.3 million seed funding round led by BITKRAFT Ventures.

Jonathan Huang, Partner at BITKRAFT Ventures, said the company believes Acti can change the way people interact with computers.

The leadership team also includes CTO Mike Sun, who helped build Baidu’s Yike Album cloud platform, and Chief Strategy Officer Junbo Yang, formerly of HashKey Capital.

Acti plans to offer premium subscriptions in the future. These plans will provide access to more advanced AI models, higher usage limits, and extra features.

Analysis

Acti is trying to do more than build another keyboard. It wants to make the keyboard the main place where people use AI.

This idea has clear advantages. Users can stay inside the app they are already using. They do not need to copy text or switch to another AI service. That makes everyday tasks faster and easier.

The company also faces challenges. Users must trust a third-party keyboard with sensitive information. Privacy and security will therefore be essential.

Competition will also be intense. Google, Microsoft, and Apple already have popular keyboards. They also have the resources to add similar AI features quickly.

Even so, Acti’s Skills Marketplace could become a strong advantage. It allows users and developers to build and share useful automations. If the platform grows, Acti could become more than a keyboard. It could become a new platform for AI-powered mobile experiences.

The company’s $5.3 million funding shows that investors believe in this vision. Its long-term success will depend on three things: attracting users, protecting privacy, and delivering a better experience than larger competitors.