EQUS launches AI that runs on user-owned data exclusively

EQUS has launched EQUS X, a personal AI that operates exclusively on data owned by the user, marking a significant shift in the AI landscape. Under new CEO Sandy Carter, who joined in August from senior roles at IBM and AWS, the company positions EQUS X as a solution to the growing debate over digital self-ownership. The AI reads from a user-controlled Private Data Store, allowing users to toggle access to individual files at any time, ensuring data stays with the customer rather than on the vendor's servers.

Carter emphasizes that EQUS X differentiates itself from other AI products by not requiring users to trade ownership for convenience. The architecture, built on years of EQUS' work in self-sovereign identity, includes 14 granted and 9 pending patents, three of which cover the Private Data Store. The launch aligns with public sentiment, as a Pew Research survey found 49% of U.S. adults use AI chatbots, but 71% worry about personal information security.

The company is also introducing a private beta of its Developer Toolkit, enabling third-party developers to build on a customer-owned data layer. EQUS X is available free for the first 90 days at equs.ai. The toolkit uses W3C Verifiable Credentials and Decentralized Identifiers to ensure agents can prove who they represent before accessing data. EQUS' mission centers on empowering individuals to own their identity and reputation, with AI acting on their behalf.