at rcs group, we envision a world where technology serves as a bridge, not a barrier, connecting people in meaningful ways that enrich both personal and professional lives. we believe that communication should be effortless, intuitive, and accessible to everyone, regardless of where they are or what language they speak. this vision drives us to innovate and create solutions that not only meet the needs of today but also anticipate the demands of tomorrow.

founded in 1999, rcs group emerged as a bespoke communications company dedicated to crafting messages and developing strategies that resonate deeply with audiences. our founders, craig berman and tyrone watkins, brought together a unique blend of expertise and foresight. craig, a retail innovator with an uncanny ability to spot future trends, and tyrone, a creative visionary who transforms ideas into impactful experiences, understood early on that the landscape of communication was on the brink of a significant shift.

in the late 1990s, as the world began to embrace the digital revolution, craig and tyrone recognized the growing importance of experiential engagement. they saw that people craved authentic connections and that businesses needed to adapt to this changing dynamic. together, they set out to build a company that would help bridge the gap between businesses and their audiences, creating meaningful interactions that went beyond traditional marketing and advertising.

over the years, rcs group expanded its horizons, venturing into media and technology to offer a broader range of services. we delved into radio broadcasting, multimedia screens, music production, event launches, and advertising. each new endeavor was not just about growth but about enhancing our ability to connect people and ideas. we consistently sought out new ways to engage audiences, leveraging emerging technologies to stay ahead of the curve.

our commitment to innovation has always been driven by a desire to make communication more personal and effective. we understood that technology was rapidly changing the way people interacted, and we wanted to ensure that our clients could navigate this new landscape successfully. by integrating cutting-edge solutions, we helped businesses to not only reach their audiences but to engage with them on a deeper level.

this collaboration led to the creation of ask ayyi (pronounced “ask ai”), an intelligent assistant designed to transform the way businesses and individuals communicate. ask ayyi is not just a product; it’s the embodiment of our vision for the future of communication. it represents the convergence of technology and human-centric design, offering a solution that is both powerful and accessible.

ask ayyi was developed with the understanding that people value convenience and personalization. we wanted to create an assistant that could live on the platforms where people already spend most of their time—whatsapp, instagram, facebook, web, and even over the phone. by integrating ask ayyi into these everyday platforms, we ensured that users could access assistance whenever and wherever they needed it, without having to learn new systems or change their habits.

in 2021, our journey took an exciting turn when we met liam webb, one of south africa’s brightest emerging talents in artificial intelligence. liam’s innovative thinking and passion for ai resonated with our own commitment to pushing boundaries. he brought a fresh perspective to the challenges of modern communication, seeing possibilities where others saw obstacles.

recognising that artificial intelligence was not just the future but an essential component of the present, we saw an opportunity to revolutionize the way businesses communicate. liam’s expertise in ai, combined with our deep understanding of communication and engagement, set the stage for a groundbreaking collaboration. together, we envisioned a solution that would harness the power of ai to make interactions more intuitive, efficient, and meaningful.

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ask ayyi goes beyond the capabilities of traditional virtual assistants. it is designed to understand users on a deeper level, recognizing their intent even when it’s not explicitly stated. with advanced artificial intelligence and a logic-first approach, ask ayyi can engage in natural, flowing conversations that feel genuinely human. it remembers past interactions, providing continuity and context that enrich the user experience.

one of the most significant breakthroughs with ask ayyi is its ability to process and understand visual information. by integrating gpt vision models, ask ayyi can interpret images, adding a new dimension to interactions. whether it’s analyzing a photo of a product, understanding a scanned document, or interpreting visual content shared by users, this capability opens up new possibilities for engagement.

furthermore, ask ayyi supports multilingual communication, breaking down language barriers and making it accessible to a global audience. by cloning a brand-specific voice, businesses can maintain consistency in their communication, strengthening their brand identity across all platforms. the assistant’s ultra-low latency ensures that responses are delivered almost instantaneously, keeping conversations smooth and engaging.

the introduction of askAYYI has the potential to revolutionize various aspects of business operations. in sales, it can engage with customers in real-time, providing immediate answers to queries and guiding them through the purchasing process. this not only enhances the customer experience but also increases conversion rates by ensuring that opportunities are not lost due to delayed responses.
 
in marketing, ask ayyi allows businesses to connect with their audience on a more personal level. by interacting with users on platforms they already use, companies can gather valuable insights into customer preferences and behaviors. this data can inform more targeted and effective marketing strategies, leading to better engagement and higher returns on investment.
 
customer care is another area where ask ayyi makes a significant impact. providing 24/7 support, it ensures that customer issues are addressed promptly, improving satisfaction and loyalty. its ability to understand intent and context means that it can resolve many issues without the need for human intervention, freeing up customer service teams to focus on more complex tasks.
 
in human resources, ask ayyi can assist with employee onboarding and training, providing instant access to information and resources. it can answer common questions, schedule meetings, and send reminders, streamlining hr processes and enhancing the employee experience

as we look ahead, our goal is to fully integrate ask ayyi into businesses worldwide by 2025. we see it becoming an indispensable tool that not only enhances communication but also drives innovation and growth. by automating routine tasks and providing intelligent insights, ask ayyi empowers businesses to focus on strategic initiatives and creative endeavors.

we are committed to continuous improvement, leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence to enhance ask ayyi’s capabilities further. our focus remains on making technology more human-centric, ensuring that it serves to connect people rather than isolate them. we believe that by combining cutting-edge ai with a deep understanding of human interaction, we can create solutions that truly make a difference.

the journey of rcs group and the creation of ask ayyi represent our dedication to transforming communication. from our beginnings in bespoke messaging to pioneering ai-driven solutions, we have always been guided by a vision of connecting people in meaningful ways. ask ayyi embodies this vision, offering a revolutionary tool that bridges the gap between technology and human connection.

we invite you to join us on this journey towards a smarter, more connected world. whether you are an individual seeking more intuitive interactions or a business looking to enhance engagement and efficiency, ask ayyi is designed to meet your needs. together, let’s shape the future of communication, making it more personal, accessible, and impactful than ever before.