Introduction to Pie

Andy Dunn, the founder of online fashion retailer Bonobos, has taken on a new challenge with his latest venture, Pie. This social app aims to bring people together in real life, using AI to facilitate connections. With an $11.5 million Series A raise, Pie has already gained significant traction, boasting over 130,000 monthly active users despite only being available in San Francisco and Chicago.

However, as the number of users grew, so did the size of the in-person events hosted through the app. This led to a new problem: how could guests know who to talk to in a crowded room? To address this issue, Pie acquired an AI-powered quiz called Sparked Connections, which predicts who people will get along with best at a given social event.

How Sparked Connections Works

The Sparked Connections quiz is a short personality test that respondents complete before an event. They rate their agreement with various sentiments on a scale of 1 to 5, covering topics such as willingness to sacrifice stability for passion, beliefs in astrology, and more. The algorithm then divides respondents into groups of six based on who the AI thinks is most likely to get along.

These groups are placed into a chat on Pie, allowing users to get to know each other before the event. The use of AI in this context raises interesting questions about the role of technology in facilitating human connections. As Dunn noted, the goal is to understand why people hit it off, and the AI inflection point may be crucial in solving this 'dark art' of making friends.

Implications and Future Directions

The increasing concern around Americans' level of loneliness makes Pie's mission particularly relevant. While it may seem counterintuitive to rely on algorithms to make friends, the reality is that many people already use AI-driven platforms like Instagram and Bumble to connect with others. Pie's approach, combining AI with in-person events, offers a unique take on this challenge.

As Pie continues to grow and refine its AI-powered matching system, it will be interesting to see how the app evolves and whether it can successfully help people form meaningful connections. With its innovative approach and significant funding, Pie is certainly a venture to watch in the realm of social technology and community building.