Circles is using AI to turn telecom support from a cost centre into a faster, more personalised growth engine
Updated
May 1, 2026 2:04 PM
A woman holding a phone while using a laptop. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
Circles, a Singapore startup that builds software for digital telecom operators, has launched an AI concierge as part of its partnership with OpenAI. The release marks a new step in the company’s effort to modernise how telecom providers serve and retain customers. The move reflects a wider shift in the telecom sector. Many operators still rely on older support systems that can be slow, fragmented and costly to run. AI is now being tested as a way to improve service while creating new revenue opportunities.
Circles said the concierge is built on OpenAI’s API platform and sits within what it calls an AI-native telecom stack. In practical terms, the system is designed to handle customer support, account changes and personalised offers through automated interactions.
One part of the platform is called CareX. According to the company, it can deal with billing issues, service requests and network-related problems. Circles said CareX currently resolves 85% of customer queries globally without human intervention and reaches a 95% resolution rate on end-to-end tasks. That matters because customer support remains one of the larger operating costs for telecom providers. Faster automated handling could lower pressure on service teams while reducing wait times for users.
The second part of the platform is Xplore IQ, which focuses on revenue growth. The tool is designed to predict what a customer may need, recommend a suitable plan or offer and complete upgrades or downgrades automatically. Circles said the early rollout has led to a 22% rise in average revenue per user for Circles.Life Singapore. It also said personalised offers helped reduce customer churn by 9%.
"AI should empower users - not force-fit into outdated journeys. OpenAI's role has been critical in enabling Circles to scale this vision globally. With the AI concierge, we are moving beyond providing simple answers to delivering real-world outcomes, along with balancing cost and latency to maximize value for operators and customers alike", said Awais Malik, Global Chief Growth Officer at Circles.
"Circles is demonstrating how advanced AI can modernize essential industries like telecommunications at scale. By combining frontier models with multi-agent systems, they are enabling telecom operators globally to deliver faster, smarter and more personalized customer experiences. This milestone is a strong example of how AI can deliver tangible value for businesses and customers they serve", Oliver Jay, Managing Director, International for OpenAI, added.
Together, the tools are intended to connect customer service, operations and sales into one system. Rather than treating support and monetisation as separate functions, the company is combining them into a single digital layer.
Circles said the partnership will continue over the next two years as both companies work toward a more autonomous telecom model. Whether that vision is achieved remains to be seen, but the direction is clear: telecom operators are increasingly treating AI as core infrastructure rather than an optional add-on.
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A Massachusetts startup advances scalable light-control tech for AR, AI and imaging markets
Updated
March 17, 2026 1:01 AM
Myrias Optics' Nanoimprinted All-inorganic Metaoptic. PHOTO: MYRIAS OPTICS
Myrias Optics, a Massachusetts-based optical technology startup, has raised US$2.1 million in a Seed 1 financing round to accelerate the commercialization of its advanced light-control technology. The round was led by MassVentures, with participation from existing investors Hoss Investment Inc., Maroon Venture Partners and Tenon Venture Partners, as well as new investors Mill Town Capital, TiE Boston Angels and Doug Crane. This new round follows a US$3.3 million seed financing completed in December 2023, led by Asia Optical, and a US$1.5 million Direct-to-Phase II award from the National Science Foundation. In total, Myrias has secured US$6.9 million to date, positioning it to move from development to scaled production.
The company builds ultra-thin, nano-patterned surfaces that precisely control how light moves through a device. These structures replace or enhance traditional lenses and optical parts inside products such as augmented reality headsets, AI data center hardware, consumer electronics, industrial systems and medical imaging devices. The goal is straightforward: to deliver high optical performance while making the parts easier and more cost-effective to manufacture in large quantities.
Across industries such as augmented reality and AI infrastructure, manufacturers face a common challenge. They need highly precise light-guiding components that can withstand heat and long-term use. At the same time, those components must be produced consistently and at scale. Traditional semiconductor-style fabrication can be costly, while polymer-based optical manufacturing can face limits in durability and thermal stability.
Myrias addresses this gap by using inorganic materials and a nanoimprint manufacturing process to create stable, repeatable optical layers on wafers. This approach is designed to combine performance with manufacturability. In augmented reality systems, for example, the company’s technology enables higher viewing angles while remaining suitable for volume production. In AI data centers, the same material and process advantages support improved light transfer and stronger performance under demanding thermal conditions. These benefits also extend to advanced imaging systems in consumer, industrial and medical markets.
The new Seed 1 funding is intended to expand manufacturing capacity and scale pilot production lines. The company will also continue executing active customer programs. Myrias is already working with strategic partners and Tier 1 supply chain participants to integrate its waveguide and light-shaping solutions into commercial AR platforms, AI photonics systems and advanced imaging products. The capital, therefore, supports a clear next step: moving from validated prototypes to a steady commercial supply.