Bluesky pivots AI assistant Attie into open social research tool amid growth slowdown
The social network’s AI tool evolves to combat misinformation and drive engagement as the company navigates community scepticism and a need for revenue following a $100 million funding round.
Bluesky has expanded the capabilities of its AI assistant, Attie, introducing a new feature called Quests that transforms the tool into an open social research platform. The update allows users to pose open-ended questions regarding news, trends, and conversations across the Bluesky network and other applications integrated with the AT Protocol. Currently in beta and accessible via a waitlist, the functionality aims to help users navigate the open social web and mitigate the spread of misinformation.
The development comes as Bluesky seeks to accelerate user growth after a period of deceleration. The social network’s registered account base rose from 40 million last October to approximately 45.6 million over the past eight months. This slower expansion rate has prompted the company to develop new tools and services designed to engage users and potentially unlock monetisation pathways, including premium subscriptions or specialised tools for power users.
Attie, which launched in March, was initially introduced as a separate product enabling users to design custom algorithms and feeds without programming. The new Quests feature builds on this foundation, allowing users to request information on trending topics or identify influential accounts within specific fields or locations. Bluesky’s chief innovation officer, Jay Graber, stated that the AI is intended to reduce the barriers to entry for using the AT Protocol and empower users to find truth amidst online noise.
Graber, who stepped down as CEO in March and was replaced by Toni Schneider, the former founding CEO of Automattic, emphasised the company’s bet that tools helping people make sense of the world will prove more useful than those adding to confusion. She noted that Attie is undergoing a redesign to include accessibility features and a new logo, with further changes expected in the coming months.
The rollout occurs against a backdrop of tension within the Bluesky community, where many users hold economic, political, or environmental concerns regarding artificial intelligence. Despite this, the company has previously considered charging for the service, though it remains free for now. Bluesky secured $100 million in funding in a round that closed in 2025, providing the financial runway necessary to experiment with AI integration and other revenue-generating strategies while maintaining its commitment to the open social web standard.
