Cognition, the AI coding startup behind Devin, has acquired Poke, a text-based AI assistant known for its friendly, conversational style, in a deal valued in the low nine figures. The acquisition signals a strategic shift in the AI race, with personality and interaction design becoming as critical as raw model performance. Cognition plans to embed Poke’s conversational style into Devin, enabling developers to text the coding agent like a teammate rather than issuing rigid commands. This move reflects a broader industry trend toward user experience and natural interactions as top AI players approach similar capabilities. Poke has broad messaging-platform reach and had a notable funding trajectory and valuation preceding the deal. The deal underscores the belief that AI productivity tools win by combining technical prowess with approachable, human-like communication.