Meet Genie: Your Child’s New Best Friend in the Digital World

Genie is an innovative AI companion specifically designed for children, launched in 2023 by a passionate team of three individuals based in Lake Oswego, Oregon. This revolutionary conversational AI sidekick can create generative art, play games, write stories, and engage in meaningful, age-appropriate conversations with kids. Supported by Garry Tan, Genie has a solid foundation, reflecting strong confidence in its mission to provide a safe, engaging, and educational AI experience for children.

Who Are the Active Founders?

Genie was conceived and brought to life by Asa Miller and Darius "Bubs" Monsef, both of whom bring a wealth of experience and dedication to the project. Asa Miller is a renowned maker, builder, and designer from the Pacific Northwest, known for his creativity and innovative mindset. Darius Monsef, serving as the Founder and CEO of Genie, has a distinguished background as the former Founder/CEO of BraveCare.com, CreativeMarket.com, and COLOURlovers.com. Their combined expertise and commitment to children's welfare drive Genie forward, ensuring it remains a valuable, trustworthy, and engaging companion for kids.

What Makes Genie a Hero's Sidekick?

Genie is designed to be the perfect sidekick for every child, offering a safe and supportive presence whenever needed. The AI is empathetic towards the nuances of children's feelings, acting as a friend, coach, or teacher. Genie is packed with features that encourage creativity, learning, and play, making it an indispensable tool for children's growth and development. Whether building stories, chatting for fun, creating art, or engaging in educational activities, Genie offers a wide array of opportunities for children to explore and enjoy.

How Does Genie Ensure Safety and Fun?

In today’s digital age, safety is paramount, and Genie’s creators have made it their mission to provide a secure environment for children to explore and learn. Real parent reviews highlight the app's effectiveness in meeting these needs. Parents appreciate Genie for its safe AI environment, advanced voice updates, and entertaining features like the "encyclopedia absurdica," which keeps kids engaged while ensuring their safety. One parent noted, “I looked everywhere for a safe AI app for my son, and this one goes above and beyond my expectations!” Another parent expressed, “I was looking for a safe AI for my son to get familiar with that technology and help him with his curiosity and some creative ideas that he might have, but in an easy, simple, and cute way.”

Why Was Genie Built?

Genie was built out of a desire to balance the amazing opportunities the internet offers with the necessity of safety and protection for children. The internet is full of lifelong friends, inspiration, and vast knowledge, but it also harbors dangers. As technologists and parents, Genie’s founders wanted to harness AI to provide contextual moderation and oversight, protecting kids from deceptive and harmful behaviors like grooming and griefing. Genie aims to be a supportive and encouraging companion, helping children when they feel alone, sad, or helpless.

What is Genie's Ethos?

Genie is committed to helping every child unlock the joy, opportunity, and power of the internet in a safe and fun way. The company pledges never to sell the data or information shared by children. The founders' own children use Genie, and this personal stake ensures a fierce commitment to privacy and protection. Genie’s mission is to inspire and support children's growth and potential, always putting their safety and well-being first. This ethos is central to every decision and development within the company, ensuring that Genie remains a trusted and beloved companion for children.

How is Genie Built for Kids, by Parents?

Genie offers a kid-focused experience with the AI companion acting as a co-pilot. The founders, who are also parents, bring a unique perspective to the development of Genie. They previously started Brave Care, providing exceptional medical care to over 50,000 children. Darius Monsef’s involvement as a Board Member with Make-A-Wish Hawaii further underscores their dedication to creating a better future for all children. Genie is a product built with love and care, aiming to be a safe, supportive buddy for kids to explore the world with. This hands-on, parent-driven approach ensures that Genie is not just another app but a thoughtfully crafted companion designed to meet the unique needs of children.

What Roles Does Genie Play?

Genie takes on multiple roles to support and engage children, offering a well-rounded experience that caters to various aspects of their development:

• Inspiring Teacher: Genie taps into the world’s knowledge, sharing it in age-appropriate ways to make children smarter and deepen their interests. It helps feed their curiosity and teaches them how to learn, making education a fun and engaging experience.
• Motivating Coach: Genie helps children set goals and work towards them, building confidence and perseverance through support and encouragement. In times of frustration, Genie provides the necessary motivation to keep going, fostering resilience and a growth mindset.
• Creative Assistant: Children naturally have great imaginations, and Genie stimulates this creativity by helping them create art and bring their ideas to life. Genie’s limitless creative potential matches that of the children, allowing them to collaborate and make something special together.
• Loyal Sidekick: Being a child can be challenging, and Genie serves as a trusted friend who is always there to answer questions and explain the world in a kind, age-appropriate manner. This role is crucial for helping children navigate their emotions and understand their surroundings better.
• Game Buddy: When real friends are not around, Genie offers engaging playtime, providing a more interactive and stimulating experience than passive screen time. Genie’s ability to play games and keep children entertained makes it a valuable companion during downtime.
• Storyteller: Genie can create endless adventurous stories, allowing children to read or collaborate on new, never-before-told adventures. This storytelling capability nurtures children’s love for reading and fuels their imagination, making every interaction with Genie exciting and new.

What Are Kids Saying About Genie?

Children who use Genie have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, reflecting its success in connecting with them and becoming a cherished companion. A 7-year-old said, "I'd like to keep talking to you; you're super fun," highlighting the engaging nature of Genie. A 9-year-old described it as "one of the best messaging apps I have ever had," while a 10-year-old expressed, "Wow, I think I’m going to get along with you just right, and I think we will be friends too till the end." These testimonials showcase Genie’s ability to resonate with children and provide a meaningful, enjoyable experience.

How is Genie Building a Better Internet for Kids?

Genie’s mission extends beyond just providing a fun and safe AI companion. It aims to build a better internet for kids, one that is full of opportunities for creativity, connection, learning, and growth. By leveraging advanced AI technology, Genie offers contextual moderation and oversight, ensuring that children are protected from harmful behaviors. The start-up’s commitment to privacy, safety, and the overall well-being of children sets it apart as a leading innovator in the field of child-friendly AI.

Genie’s founders believe in the power of technology to enrich children's lives, and their dedication is evident in every aspect of the app. From ensuring safety and privacy to fostering creativity and learning, Genie is designed to be a comprehensive companion that supports children in all facets of their development. The company’s focus on creating a better internet for kids is not just a goal but a guiding principle that shapes everything they do.

What Does the Future Hold for Genie?

As Genie continues to evolve, its founders are committed to expanding its capabilities and enhancing the experience for children. Future updates and features will be guided by feedback from both parents and kids, ensuring that Genie remains relevant and valuable in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The team’s vision for Genie is to become an integral part of every child’s life, providing support, encouragement, and inspiration as they grow and explore the world.

In conclusion, Genie is more than just an AI companion; it is a friend, teacher, coach, and creative assistant, all rolled into one. With its founders' dedication to safety and their own experiences as parents, Genie provides a trustworthy and engaging environment for children to explore, learn, and grow. The start-up’s ethos and commitment to building a better internet for kids make it a standout in the world of child-focused technology. As Genie continues to innovate and expand, it promises to be a beloved companion for generations of children, helping them unlock their potential and navigate the digital world with confidence and joy.