Proton, a Swiss company known for its privacy-centric apps, has launched a new AI-enabled writing assistant called Proton Scribe. The tool helps users compose emails by providing simple prompts, allowing users to redraft and proofread their emails before sending them. Proton Scribe is built on Mistral 7B, an open-source language model from French AI startup Mistral. The company plans to fine-tune the model for optimal use and has made the tool available under the open source GPL-3.0 license, making it easier to perform third-party security and privacy audits.
One of the key features of Proton Scribe is its focus on privacy. The tool can be deployed entirely at the local device level, ensuring that user data doesn’t leave the device. Proton assures users that its AI assistant won’t learn from user data, which is crucial for enterprise use-cases where privacy is of utmost importance. This addresses the concern that businesses have been slow to adopt generative AI tools due to data privacy concerns. By offering a privacy-first AI tool directly within Proton Mail, the company aims to provide a solution that appeases privacy-conscious users.
Proton Scribe can be configured to run on Proton’s servers for users who are less security-conscious. Running the tool on the servers may offer faster performance depending on users’ hardware. For those who prefer to run the tool locally, they can download the model once to their device and use it without interacting with external servers. Proton emphasizes that it doesn’t keep any logs or share data with third parties for users who choose to run Proton Scribe from its servers.
The tool works by allowing users to type in a prompt, such as “request samples from a supplier,” and generates a template email based on the provided theme. Users can then edit and fine-tune the email as needed. While the tool doesn’t use local data, its responses may be generic and not personalized or contextual. However, Proton has added features called “quick actions” to make it easier for users to edit the drafts, such as changing the tone, proofreading, and making it more concise. The company plans to improve Proton Scribe over time, adding context in a privacy-preserving way.
Currently, Proton Scribe is limited to email but may be expanded to other Proton products in the future. The tool is available for Proton Mail on the web and desktop, with plans to expand to mobile devices. Business users on specific plans can pay an additional $2.99 per month to access the writing assistant, while users on certain legacy plans will have free access. Proton may consider expanding the feature to other consumer plans in the future.