Eternal Bets on Dark.ai, Privacy-First AI Assistant for India

Eternal is venturing into artificial intelligence with Dark.ai, a privacy-centric AI assistant designed to operate with end-to-end encryption and minimal data collection. The move reflects a strategic pivot by the company's founder Deepinder Goyal to explore technology sectors where privacy concerns remain paramount and commercial competition is less saturated than in food delivery.

Unlike mainstream AI assistants developed by global technology giants, Dark.ai is built on the principle of maximum data protection, with encrypted communications and no reliance on personal information for model training or service optimization. The platform represents Eternal's bet that a significant market exists for privacy-conscious users willing to adopt AI tools that eschew the typical data-harvesting models of established players.

Eternal has signalled that margins in its core food delivery business will likely remain flat over the next one to two years as the company continues directing capital toward growth initiatives and new ventures. Dark.ai is part of this broader diversification strategy, allowing Eternal to explore emerging technologies while maintaining its presence in India's competitive quick-commerce landscape.

The venture underscores growing consumer awareness about data privacy in India, where regulatory scrutiny of tech platforms has intensified. By positioning Dark.ai as a privacy-first alternative, Eternal is targeting users concerned about algorithmic transparency and personal data protection.

Photo: The Gurugram headquarters of Eternal, parent company of Zomato, Blinkit and Hyperpure, March 2024. Uttsaav via Wikimedia Commons (CC0).