Startup building model to predict human behavior

Startup building model to predict human behavior

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2026/02/15/2003852338

Publish Date: 2026-02-14 11:00:00

Source Domain: www.taipeitimes.com

Here’s a summary of the article using an unordered list with 6 key points:

– Simile, a Stanford-originating startup, has secured $100 million in funding with the aim of developing an artificial intelligence model to predict human behavior.
– The lead investors in this funding round are Index Ventures, with additional participation from Bain Capital Ventures, Hanabi Capital, and notable individuals including Fei-Fei Li and Andrej Karpathy.
– The company has created an AI model trained on extensive data, including interviews, historic transactions, and scientific behavioral research, to simulate human decision-making in various contexts.
– Simile claims to have successfully predicted questions likely to be asked during earnings calls, anticipating eight out of ten questions in one recent case.
– The firm positions its model as an alternative to focus groups, providing companies like CVS Health Corp with insights on customer preferences and helping them make informed inventory decisions.
– Founded by members connected to Stanford, including Michael Bernstein who was a co-author of the influential ImageNet project, the company aims to offer businesses a new way to predict market behaviors and corporate communication receptions.