About Us

We Believe

We are dedicated to creating human-centric ai systems that prioritize the empowerment, well-being, and agency of individuals while delivering transparent and trustworthy results.

  • Valuing Human Agency:
    We prioritize and value the agency of individuals, recognizing their preferences, tastes, and judgment as essential components of decision-making processes. We strive to empower users to actively participate and shape their experiences with our AI systems.
  • Embracing Granularity:
    We believe in the power of granularity and recognize that breaking down complex tasks into smaller, manageable components provides users with greater control and customization. By offering granular options, we enable users to engage with our AI technology on their own terms.
  • Extending Human Capabilities:
    We are committed to building tools that extend human capabilities rather than replacing them. Our interfaces are designed to empower users by providing transparent explanations and insights, enabling them to develop a deeper understanding of AI-generated recommendations.
  • Ethical and Responsible AI:
    We are committed to designing and deploying AI systems that adhere to ethical guidelines and promote responsible use. We prioritize the well-being and privacy of individuals, ensuring that our AI solutions are built with fairness, accountability, and transparency in mind.
  • Impactful Innovation:
    We strive for impactful innovation that brings about positive change in the lives of individuals and businesses. Our focus is on designing AI solutions that not only provide convenience and efficiency but also have a tangible and meaningful impact on our users’ experiences and outcomes.

Derrick Johnson, our founder, grew up with a speech impediment, which sparked his desire to see AI improve humanity, rather than just improve efficiency. He assembled a team that shared his passion and created MAI, an intelligent solution that humanizes interactions by contextually meeting customers conversationally where they are. The team built this solution to adhere to section 508 accessibility compliance, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the benefits of our technology.

MAI is a platform that introduces “graceful conversation,” a leap from the previous word of chat-based turn-taking. The technology is based on SRI International’s Speech Technology and Research (STAR) Lab, OLIVE speech system, which allows our system to better understand what people are saying by using the subtle clues in language and spoken tone to make the ordering process much smoother. For example, the system can determine if a customer ordering a hamburger has simply paused to consider their next item or has completed their order and respond accordingly.

One of the unique features of MAI is its inclusivity and accessibility. The system was designed to handle cognitive accessibility and dietary accessibility, ensuring “human-like” conversation and contextual responses, which bridge the human connection and give customers experiences that are engaging, leaving them delighted and ultimately rewarded.
At Encounter AI, we believe that our technology can not only improve efficiency but also improve people’s lives. We are committed to creating innovative solutions that humanize technology and bring us closer together. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us!

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