E197 ‘AI’s Emotional Revolution’ with emotionise’s Marie Toft

Today’s guest is Marie Toft, Founder and CEO at Emotionise. In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, emotions and technology might seem like disparate concepts. However, today’s guest Marie, with her unique background and visionary approach, has seamlessly intertwined these elements to create a groundbreaking AI model. Her journey is a testament to the power of emotional intelligence in tech innovation.

Marie’s career trajectory is anything but conventional. Having spent over two decades in broadcasting and communications with organisations like the BBC and SBS Australia, she honed her skills in storytelling and emotional connection. This foundation laid the groundwork for her transition into technology and AI. It was during her time with broadcasting entities that she noticed the profound impact of emotional connections through content, a realisation that would steer her future endeavours.

In 2017, Marie faced redundancy, which acted as the catalyst for her entrepreneurial venture. She returned to university to study psychotherapy, driven by a personal desire yet unconsciously sowing the seeds of her future business, Emotionalise. Initially conceived as a corporate video agency, it pivoted towards AI by 2020, thanks to Marie’s groundbreaking idea to integrate emotional intelligence into AI models.

The year 2020 marked a significant turn in Marie’s journey. With the release of OpenAI’s GPT-3, she saw the potential to scale her approach, combining her skills in language and communication with emotional intelligence. Despite scepticism, Marie persevered. She invested her savings and secured matching grants, building a minimum viable product that would push the boundaries of AI capabilities.

By 2022, Marie had developed EIMEAR (Emotionally Intelligent Model). This AI model, distinct in its niche, was designed to embed emotional intelligence into text-based communication. Unlike other AI entities that could perform a range of tasks, EIMEAR focused on evaluating and enhancing emotional intelligence within writing, providing real-time feedback and coaching.

In AI development, data is king. Emotionalise’s proprietary dataset distinguishes it from other AI models. Marie’s team meticulously created and labeled data sets, emphasising emotional intelligence and precise communication. This focus ensured the model’s accuracy and efficacy. With regulations tightening around data usage, such proprietary datasets have become invaluable assets.

Marie’s journey has been enriched by invaluable partnerships and networks. Early collaborations with Microsoft’s Founders Hub provided crucial support, especially with access to OpenAI’s resources. These collaborations facilitated not only technological advancement but also networking opportunities that are essential for scaling a startup.

However, as much as technology has advanced, the societal embrace of AI remains cautious. Marie highlights a significant gap between AI-native organisations and broader society. The fear of job displacement and the rapid pace of change pose challenges that need addressing through education and transparent communication.

The future Marie envisions is one where emotional intelligence in AI democratises technology’s benefits. The digital landscape requires not just technological tools but also a mindset change towards embracing these tools effectively.

Marie advocates for early education and exposure, integrating AI understanding into everyday environments. Whether for students or small business owners, AI literacy will be crucial in ensuring that no one is left behind in this digital evolution.

Marie’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and foresight. By embedding emotional intelligence into AI, she not only challenges traditional technological narratives but also paves the way for more empathetic human-AI interactions.

As society grapples with rapid technological advancements, visionaries like Marie remind us of the importance of preserving our emotional connections in the digital age. Her journey inspires us to envision a future where technology enhances, rather than diminishes, our human experience.