In recent news, it has been discovered that Russian government hackers have been utilizing exploits developed by spyware companies NSO and Intellexa. This revelation comes from Google, who has been actively investigating and tracking these cyber attacks.
While the use of spyware and hacking tactics is certainly concerning, there are also companies out there working to use technology for good. One such company is Harmonyze, a Brooklyn-based startup that has just raised $2 million in a pre-seed round led by Bowery Capital.
Harmonyze is focused on building AI agents that can help franchisors keep track of contracts, legal compliance, and documentation. These custom AI agents are capable of performing over 200 tasks, including ensuring that a franchise has paid a product vendor correctly and that all insurance renewals are up to date.
The potential benefits of this technology are significant. By automating many of the tasks involved in managing a franchise, Harmonyze’s AI agents can help reduce the workload for franchisors and ensure that everything is running smoothly. This, in turn, can lead to increased efficiency, improved compliance, and ultimately, greater success for the franchise as a whole.
Of course, there are also concerns about the use of AI in this way. Some worry that relying too heavily on automation could lead to job losses or other negative consequences. However, Harmonyze’s founders are quick to point out that their technology is designed to work alongside human workers, not replace them.
Ultimately, the use of AI in the franchise industry is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen how effective it will be in practice. However, with companies like Harmonyze leading the way, it’s clear that there is significant potential for technology to help improve the way franchises are managed and operated.
