In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, Helios emerges as a pioneering force, aiming to transform the public policy sector through its AI-driven operating system, Proxi. Founded in 2024 by Joe Scheidler, Joseph Farsakh, and Brandon Smith, Helios is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of public policy professionals by integrating advanced AI tools into their daily workflows.
Origins and Vision
The inception of Helios is deeply rooted in the extensive experience of its founders within the realms of national security and technology. Joe Scheidler, serving as the CEO, played a pivotal role in establishing the White House’s cybersecurity office, focusing on the intricate coordination between public and private sectors on cyber policies. Concurrently, Joseph Farsakh, now the President of Helios, was engaged in peace negotiations concerning Yemen’s Houthi conflict at the State Department. Their paths intersected during national security discussions, leading to a shared realization of the transformative potential of large language models in public policy decision-making processes.
This shared vision led to the collaboration with Brandon Smith, a seasoned machine learning expert with a background at Microsoft and Datadog, who assumed the role of Chief Technology Officer. Together, they embarked on a mission to develop an AI-native platform tailored specifically for the unique challenges faced by public policy professionals.
Proxi: The AI Operating System for Public Policy
At the heart of Helios’s innovation is Proxi, an AI-based operating system designed to serve public policy, regulatory affairs, legal, compliance, and government teams. Currently in its beta phase, Proxi has already garnered attention from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as Fortune 500 companies and startups, indicating its broad applicability and potential impact.
Proxi is structured around four core features, each addressing critical aspects of public policy work:
1. Consult: This feature acts as a conversational AI agent, providing continuous support by scanning legislative and regulatory developments. It offers strategic advice and insights, ensuring that professionals are informed and prepared to respond to emerging policy changes.
2. Scribe: Scribe automates the creation of policy documents, including memos, reports, and briefs. By leveraging AI, it streamlines the drafting process, allowing professionals to focus on strategic analysis and decision-making.
3. Decipher: This data extraction engine processes unstructured data, transforming it into actionable insights. It enables users to efficiently analyze complex datasets, facilitating informed policy decisions.
4. Library: Serving as a centralized repository, the Library organizes policy documents and research materials. It enhances accessibility and collaboration, ensuring that teams can easily retrieve and share information.
These features collectively aim to automate and optimize the traditionally manual and fragmented tasks associated with government affairs, thereby enhancing productivity and strategic focus.
Strategic Partnerships and Support
Helios’s innovative approach has attracted significant support from notable entities. The company emerged from stealth mode with a $4 million seed funding round led by Unusual Ventures, with participation from Founders Inc. and Alumni Ventures. Additionally, Helios is backed by NVIDIA Inception and Google for Startups, underscoring the confidence in its potential to revolutionize public policy workflows.
The team at Helios comprises experts from esteemed institutions such as the White House, Microsoft, the U.S. Department of State, and Harvard University. This diverse expertise ensures a comprehensive understanding of both the technological and policy-oriented challenges that the platform aims to address.
Addressing the Challenges in Public Policy
Public policy professionals often navigate a complex landscape characterized by rapidly changing legislation, intricate regulatory environments, and the need for timely, informed decision-making. Traditional tools and methods can be cumbersome, leading to inefficiencies and potential oversights.
Helios’s Proxi seeks to address these challenges by providing an integrated, AI-driven solution that automates routine tasks, offers real-time insights, and facilitates strategic planning. By doing so, it empowers professionals to focus on high-level analysis and stakeholder engagement, ultimately leading to more effective policy outcomes.
Future Prospects
As Helios continues to refine and expand Proxi, the company remains committed to its mission of transforming public policy through technology. The ongoing beta testing phase provides valuable feedback, ensuring that the platform meets the nuanced needs of its users.
Looking ahead, Helios plans to explore additional features and integrations that further enhance the capabilities of Proxi. Potential developments include advanced analytics tools, enhanced collaboration features, and expanded support for various policy domains.
The company’s dedication to innovation, combined with its strong foundation of expertise and strategic partnerships, positions Helios as a leader in the intersection of AI and public policy.
Conclusion
Helios represents a significant advancement in the application of artificial intelligence to public policy. By developing Proxi, an AI-native operating system tailored for policy professionals, Helios addresses longstanding challenges in the field, offering tools that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and strategic decision-making.
As the platform continues to evolve, it holds the promise of reshaping how public policy is developed and implemented, ultimately contributing to more responsive and effective governance.
