Austin Founder Launches Clare, an AI Desktop Assistant for People Overwhelmed by the Internet

Austin founder Ryan Merket launched Clare, an AI desktop assistant designed to help users overwhelmed by the internet, after observing older family members struggle with phishing scams and complex online interfaces. The tool aims to simplify routine digital tasks and protect non-technical users from deceptive messages and security prompts.

For most technology companies, the pitch begins with a market opportunity. For Ryan Merket, it began with his parents. The Austin based founder says he built Clare after watching older family members struggle with an internet that increasingly feels hostile to non technical users. Phishing attempts arrive disguised as account alerts. Scam messages impersonate trusted brands. Routine online tasks often require navigating unfamiliar interfaces, security prompts, forms and notifications. "Watchi...