A humanoid robot and a person engaging in human-robot interaction within a research lab environment utilizing motion capture technology.
In the heart of London, England, Humanise.AI is redefining what it means to build software in the era of artificial intelligence. As businesses worldwide race to adopt AI, one challenge remains constant: how to make technology feel less mechanical and more human. Founded by Duncan Anderson, former European CTO of IBM Watson, and John-David Wuarin, Humanise.AI was established in April 2017 on a simple yet powerful belief—technology should serve people, not the other way around.
City of London skyline showcasing iconic skyscrapers like the Gherkin and Leadenhall Building, symbolizing a leading global technology and finance hub.
The Mission: Making AI More Human
Unlike traditional AI companies focused purely on algorithms and automation, Humanise.AI prioritizes human-centric design. The company's mission is to ensure that every AI-driven solution—whether in customer service, healthcare, or enterprise operations—embodies empathy, transparency, and trust. Duncan Anderson, with his decade-long history working with AI, founded the company to help clients take advantage of conversational AI while recognizing that "today's AI can bring incredible efficiencies for customer service but that we still need humans to do the more complex things".
Exterior view of Microsoft's modern office building in London, highlighting its presence in the city's tech and AI sector.
Why Humanise.AI Stands Out
London Roots, Global Vision: Based in one of the world's leading tech hubs, Humanise.AI blends British innovation with global collaboration. The company operates from London's vibrant technology ecosystem, positioning itself among approximately 1,300 AI startups and companies in the city.
Human-Centered Development: Every project begins with understanding people's needs, not just technical requirements. The company has developed PlatformOne, a digital communications platform that covers chat, SMS, email, and more, built around leading-edge AI that automates multi-step customer journeys while keeping humans in control.
Ethical AI Practices: The company champions fairness, inclusivity, and accountability, ensuring AI systems are free from bias and aligned with ethical standards. As Anderson notes, the technology "recognizes that AI is best when it's used to take the load off of human staff and to automate the high volume of routine things but to defer quickly to members of staff when things get more complicated".
Seamless Integration: Humanise.AI specializes in building tools that adapt to human workflows rather than forcing people to adapt to technology, particularly through their Virtual Assistant called Gem, which specializes in accommodation tasks like booking, upgrades, and customer resolution.
London city skyline showcasing Tower Bridge and the financial technology district with iconic skyscrapers like the Gherkin.
Core Offerings
Humanise.AI provides a suite of solutions designed for modern enterprises, particularly focused on the accommodation industry including hotels, apartment rentals, and hostels:
- Conversational AI that delivers not just answers, but understanding through their PlatformOne system
- Predictive Analytics that empower smarter, data-driven decisions
- Process Automation that frees teams from repetitive tasks while keeping humans in control
- Custom AI Platforms tailored to industries ranging from finance and retail to healthcare and accommodation
The company has worked on innovative applications including partnerships with Webgains, an international high-performance affiliate marketing network, to develop AI-driven processes that reduce time-to-market for new advertisers using a hybrid mix of human interaction supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.[^1_6]
Recent Developments
Interestingly, there appears to be a related company called "Humanising AI Limited" incorporated on May 9, 2025, with Vincent Chukwuemeka Iweka as director. This newer entity, while sharing a similar name philosophy, appears to be a separate venture focused on similar humanizing technology principles.
SMS chatbots automate customer communication while preserving the human touch through friendly AI interaction.
The Human Advantage
While AI excels at speed and accuracy, only humans can bring empathy, creativity, and judgment to decision-making. Humanise.AI recognizes this balance, ensuring its software enhances—not replaces—the human element. In this way, businesses achieve efficiency while maintaining the personal connections that customers and employees value most. The company's approach demonstrates that "the accommodation industry has its fair share of complex customer service needs" requiring both AI efficiency and human expertise.
The London financial district skyline with The Gherkin and modern skyscrapers, highlighting the city's role as a global technology and fintech hub.
Looking Ahead
As artificial intelligence continues to shape industries, Humanise.AI is committed to being a guiding light for organizations seeking to leverage technology responsibly. With its roots in London and eyes on the world, the company is proving that the future of AI is not just intelligent—it's humanized. Under Anderson's continued leadership through Barnacle Labs (founded in March 2023 to help clients take advantage of Generative AI), the vision of human-centered AI development continues to evolve and influence the broader technology landscape.
The company represents London's position as a global AI innovation hub, contributing to the city's reputation as home to world-renowned AI research companies and cutting-edge technology development, while maintaining its core principle that technology should always serve humanity rather than the reverse.
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