An AI assistant that remembers birthdays, and what they loved
Gravel texts you before the day and reminds you what you gave last year. It is designed to order it again with a card when you say yes.
- GravelMom’s birthday is Sunday. Last year you got her the fig candle and she loved it. Order it again for Saturday delivery? $68
- Youyes, with a card
- GravelOrdered, with a card: “Happy birthday, Mom! Love, Alex.” Arrives Saturday by 8 PM.
Can an AI assistant remember birthdays and pick gifts?
It can remember the date and what you did last time, and put both in one text. In the example conversation above, Gravel writes: “Mom’s birthday is Sunday. Last year you got her the fig candle and she loved it. Order it again for Saturday delivery? $68”
In the example you reply “yes, with a card.” Gravel is designed to order it, add the card, and tell you it arrives Saturday by 8 PM. One line from you settles it.
How does Gravel know when a birthday is coming?
From the places birthdays already live. Gravel picks them up from birthday entries on your Google Calendar, from your address book if you allow access, and from anything you tell it, like “Mom’s birthday is Oct 26.”
For someone you know well, Gravel texts you about the birthday. For everyone else it goes in the short morning brief, so acquaintances do not each get their own text.
How does Gravel remember what someone liked?
It keeps a memory of your preferences, people and plans. Gravel learns from your email and your chats, and from what you tell it directly. That is how it can say what you gave last year and how it landed.
You can see all of it. In the example conversation here, you ask “what do you know about me?” and Gravel lists it in plain words. Then you say “forget the flight stuff” and it does. Anything Gravel half-learns from someone else's email stays a guess until a second email or you confirm it.
- Youwhat do you know about me?
- GravelYou prefer afternoon appointments, your landlord is Dana at Hollis, you fly United in an aisle seat, and Mom’s birthday is Oct 26.
- Youforget the flight stuff
- GravelDone. I’ve forgotten your airline and seat.
What happens when I say yes to a gift?
Gravel is designed to place the order and tell you when it arrives. You can add details in the same breath: in the example, “yes, with a card” gets a card with a short message from you, and Saturday delivery by 8 PM.
The question you say yes to includes the gift, the delivery day and the price ($68 in the example), so you know what you are agreeing to.
What stays in my control?
Gravel is designed to show you what it would buy and what it costs before you say yes. Anything that costs money needs your yes, and nothing is ordered on a guess.
During early access, Gravel may hand you the last step, with the details ready, instead of finishing it itself.
What it remembers is yours to see and change. Ask “what do you know about me?” at any time, tell it to forget something, or export all your data with a one-time link. Delete your account and your key is destroyed, so nothing left can be read. For each kind of action you also pick one of four levels; see autonomy levels.
What does Gravel need access to?
For birthdays, your calendar and, if you choose, your address book. For past gifts, your email. Everything starts read-only, and Gravel asks for more the first time it needs it. Address-book access is optional and read-only.
These example conversations were recorded in Apple's Messages app. During early access Gravel works in WhatsApp and Telegram, and iMessage is coming. The gift and the shop are examples, and Gravel has no partnership with any shop. Gravel costs €12 a month; see pricing.
Questions
Will Gravel buy a gift without asking me?
No. Gravel is designed to show you the gift, the delivery day and the price, then wait for your yes. Anything that costs money needs your yes.
Can I see what Gravel remembers about my family?
Yes. Ask “what do you know about me?” and Gravel lists it in plain words. Tell it to forget anything and it does.
Does Gravel remember every birthday?
It knows the ones on your calendar, the ones in your address book if you allow access, and the ones you tell it. People you know well get a text. Others go in the morning brief.
What if I don't like the gift Gravel suggests?
Tell it, or ignore the message. Nothing is ordered until you say yes.
Is my family's information private?
Your data is encrypted with a key that belongs to your account only, and it is hosted and processed in the EU. Gravel does not train AI models on your data, and neither do its providers.
How much does Gravel cost?
One plan, €12 a month, with everything included. Gravel is in early access, so you join a waitlist.
Keep reading
Updated
Hand Gravel
the small stuff.
We’re opening Gravel in small groups. Leave your email and we’ll let you know when it’s your turn.