AI and Human Connection: Hy’s Innovative Approach

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing areas traditionally dominated by humans, such as workplace advice and emotional support. Hy, a venture ecosystem, is exploring ways to enhance face-to-face human interaction through AI. The company is experimenting with AI technology to document and analyze in-person discussions.

Innovation in Conversation

Hy conducts “forest walk” experiments where participants engage in conversations while an AI records and summarizes the dialogue. According to Weston Mossman, Hy’s product and experience lead, the AI does the heavy lifting of documentation, allowing people to focus on the meaning and direction of their work. Participants maintain ownership of their conversation transcripts and can utilize AI to gain new perspectives on these dialogues. This process serves to guide subsequent discussions and decisions.

The organization shares these conversations in a collective database where AI reviews them for patterns and inconsistencies. Mossman believes this helps the team identify areas requiring further investigation. Hy, founded in San Francisco’s Bay Area on September 19, partners with more than 100 communities and organizations, including tech firms and financial institutions. A second launch is scheduled for Lisbon, Portugal, in November.

Growth, in our view, can travel through local communities and diverse contexts, allowing ideas to adapt to the people and environments receiving them, said Hy founder and CEO Ariana Bahrami.

Addressing the Connection Gap

Hy identifies itself as an incubator for the life-centric economy. Rather than creating new AI models, it experiments with existing technologies to promote initiatives centered around love, life, and joy. The timing of these efforts aligns with findings from the American Psychological Association’s 2025 Stress in America survey. According to the survey, over half of U.S. adults have felt isolated regularly, with many lacking companionship and emotional support. Despite this need, 92% of respondents identified relationships as meaningful. Some individuals are turning to AI for emotional assistance, with a NAMI/Ipsos poll indicating 12% of Americans are likely to use AI chatbots for therapy.

Harvard Medical School psychiatrist John Torous reported at a congressional hearing that many people use AI tools not designed for mental-health support to find some relief. Meanwhile, offline gatherings are gaining traction. Strava’s 2025 Year in Sport report shows a significant increase in club memberships and activities, pointing to rising interest in community-based interactions.

Hy seeks to leverage AI to bolster, not replace, social engagements. By doing so, it hopes to enable deeper human connections.

The Division of Labor

Hy utilizes a framework by researcher Dave Snowden to allocate tasks. AI manages information organization, or “salience,” while humans maintain “sapience” (understanding) and “sentience” (emotional insights). Mossman notes this method has transformed Hy’s work, streamlining documentation tasks which frees up time for more meaningful engagements.

Hy continues to develop metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of its strategy. While loneliness existed before AI advancements, it remains to be seen if AI impacts this trend negatively. However, Hy believes that as AI increasingly assists with tasks, demand for genuine human interaction will rise.