Duckbill: The AI that can
The AI software that's tackling your to do list. Duckbill is helping bridge the gap between AI that tells and AI that does.
My first encounter with ChatGPT came back in the spring of 2023, when Emily and I were planning our trip to the Azores (which, I highly recommend!). Faced with complicated logistics, hopping between islands, booking rental cars, juggling multiple flights, and lining up hikes and attractions, we found ourselves stuck trying to piece together the perfect narrative for our adventure.
So, I decided to try something new. Still a little skeptical of its capabilities, I thought, what the hell, let’s give it a go. I opened my Mac and typed into ChatGPT:
“We’re going to the Azores for 8 nights in May. Give me a detailed itinerary for the week, including two islands you’d recommend.”
Within fifteen seconds, our trip was itemised down to the hour. I was very impressed. But one thought immediately crossed my mind: wouldn’t it be great if it could actually book it for us, too?
Enter Duckbill.
Whatever it is, Just Duck It: How Duckbill gets it done
This story really began about a year ago, when I met Elysia Mann, a wonderful member of the Duckbill team, through mutual friends in e-commerce. As we chatted, my curiosity about Duckbill’s capabilities quickly turned into a flurry of questions, and Elysia patiently walked me through the platform.
As Elysia emphasised, so much of our day-to-day is weighed down by admin, AKA the “boring stuff.” Whether it’s booking restaurants, rental cars, chasing up customer service teams, setting reminders, getting refunds, doctor’s appointments and more. For someone like me, who often ends up being the admin guy, whether it’s for friends, family, or day-to-day, that time really starts to add up.
So, what is it that Duckbill actually does that makes it unique? I asked.
What Duckbill does, is leverages their own custom built AI-powered backend to power a simple, chat-style interface, with what they call copilots (your own assistant). However, the catch is, there’s real-life humans filing in the 'execution gap’ once the request is pipelined and in the system. In simpler words, the things tech can’t do. It all starts in the Duckbill portal, where you can create “tasks.” For example: Find me a nice Middle Eastern restaurant in Soho for December 12th, 6 people.
The system might then ask a few quick questions like “Do you have any dietary requirements?” or “What’s your price range?” Or you can simply click Just get it done.
Once the task is active, Duckbill coordinates with the people behind the scenes, acting as a true personal assistant to carry out your request. Before you know it, you receive an email notification confirming your table at Berenjak for six people. The requests go on from there, and before you know it, you’re creating 10-20 tasks a week and you’re winning back minutes of your life on admin. Duckbill’s also available as a mobile app, allowing you to create new requests even on the move.
So, who’s using Duckbill the most and what do they have to say about it?
As a user myself, I can already see how it fits into different people’s lives for different reasons. Curious to learn more, I reached out to Elysia to ask which user groups Duckbill has naturally attracted.
Unsurprisingly, founders and directors form a strong segment, those caught in that in-between space of not yet having a personal assistant, but still managing an overwhelming amount of admin. Then there are internal operators and project managers, whose roles are built around coordination and follow-ups, and, as you might expect, parents, who are, well…BUSY!
While slightly more complex, requests involving sensitive information, like accessing medical data or handling bank transfers can be trickier to navigate. Duckbill does, however, offer a secure portal where users can store personal details safely. I’ll admit I don’t make much use of those features myself, as I tend to stick to basics.
My most recent example was when I was searching for a new gym here in London. With so many options on every corner, I wanted something with a strong focus on classes, a mix of lifting and functional training, and a reasonable price point (at least for London). After providing a bit of information about my goals and workout preferences, just a few hours later I received a comprehensive ten-page PDF in the portal, comparing my top options by location, customer reviews, pricing, and amenities!
How does Duckbill play into the future of Agentic AI?
I recently asked ChatGPT if there was a term for an AI system that doesn’t just generate responses but actually takes action on a user’s behalf. It turns out there are a few emerging terms, but the most widely adopted is Agentic AI. The word “agentic” comes from agency: the ability to make things happen, and it’s used to describe AI systems that can independently execute tasks rather than simply provide information.
As ChatGPT and Google Search continue to evolve, it raises an interesting question: will artificial intelligence ever become advanced enough to handle tasks where there’s a leap between technology and execution? Or will we always need a human layer, like Duckbill’s, to handle context, nuance, and the messy edges of real-world tasks?
It’s interesting to see a natural continuation of how personal productivity has evolved. From the rise of virtual assistants in the early 2000s, to the explosion of no-code tools like Zapier and Notion around 2015 that helped individuals and teams automate repetitive workflows, we’ve now entered the age of agentic AI, where the tools don’t just assist us, they act for us.
Democratizing help: Inside Meghan Joyce’s vision for Duckbill
As the personal assistant in your pocket continues to roll out new features each week, I recently came across a video of Meghan Joyce, former Uber GM and now Founder & CEO of Duckbill, sharing her vision for the brand.
I don’t often write about software solutions on Dollar Commerce, but as a founder and one of the many people for whom time is absolutely critical to running a business, this one felt particularly relevant. I think many e-commerce founders in my network will relate. A big thanks to the brilliant Duckbill team for letting me put this piece together (and for the coupon code too!).
Use code: Dollarcommerce and readers get a free month + 30 credits (worth $250!).
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