Apple's enterprise messaging platform is beginning to open up to AI agents. AI startup Poke has been approved to integrate with Apple Messages for Business, becoming the first AI agent to run on this platform. After integration, Poke will include iMessage as a supported channel, allowing users to initiate text interactions directly within the Apple Messages interface.
The platform has approved AI agents for the first time.
Messages for Business previously primarily served partner companies such as airlines, retailers, and hotels, providing a unified customer communication portal and supporting automated response systems and human customer service. The approval of Poke signifies that Apple has for the first time allowed an AI agent to enter the platform in this form.
Launched in March of this year, Poke aims to lower the barrier to entry for AI agents to near the level of sending text messages, targeting ordinary users unfamiliar with command-line tools or complex agent systems. The company claims that the service has forwarded approximately 100 million messages to date.
iMessage becomes a new entry point
Prior to integrating with Apple's platform, Poke already offered services via SMS, Telegram, and WhatsApp in some markets. With this approval, iMessage will become its new entry point, reaching even more Apple device users.
However, this does not equate to Apple opening the App Store to AI agents. Messages for Business is closer to a messaging service channel between businesses and users than an app store distributing standalone apps. Users can directly ask for information, get support, or schedule services within iMessage.
Apple charges based on the number of users
Marvin von Hagen, co-founder of The Interaction Company of California, the company behind Poke, stated that Poke will pay Apple based on the number of users, but did not disclose the specific price. He noted that this fee is significantly lower than the level Meta AI charged for its services following regulatory adjustments in Europe.
He also stated that Apple required Poke to demonstrate its ability to provide human support when necessary during the review process, and that it must clearly indicate that the service is provided by an AI agent. To meet these requirements, Poke submitted proof of its messaging service provider status and adjusted its interface design, including displaying link previews and adopting Apple's button and interface guidelines.
The approval process took several months.
Marvin von Hagen stated that the entire adaptation and approval process took several months, and subsequent developers are expected to experience a similar cycle. This development came a few days before Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, where the market widely anticipated that Apple would release an AI-optimized version of Siri and introduce more developer tools.
