Former OpenAI, Cognition staffers want AI agents running businesses

A group of former employees from some of the fastest-growing artificial intelligence firms, including OpenAI and Cognition AI Inc., are starting a new company to create AI agents that can help run a business, joining a crowded field of services using the technology to streamline work.

Hone is set to announce Thursday that it has raised a $60 million seed round to develop AI agents that essentially serve as professional staffers, fielding long-running tasks over the course of weeks or even months. Benchmark and Index Ventures led the financing, and the company is now valued at $285 million, according to Hone.