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Key people at Cortico.
Cortico is a non-profit organization operating from an undisclosed location that facilitates recorded small-group dialogues to help communities surface underheard voices and share civic experiences. The entity utilizes a combination of human-led and artificial intelligence-assisted sensemaking tools to analyze patterns, themes, and qualitative insights derived directly from these conversations. Operating as a 501(c)(3) organization without a commercial revenue model, it partners with local decision-makers, journalism outlets, youth leadership programs, and philanthropic foundations. Cortico collaborates closely with the MIT Center for Constructive Communication to refine its human-centered design frameworks, supported by key personnel including Sebastian Beresniewicz and Kamala Alcantara. Recently, the platform expanded its learning supports and workshop offerings to further assist partners in surfacing lived experiences. The organization was established in an unlisted founding year and is led by co-founder and chief executive officer Deb Roy.
Cortico is a non-profit social technology company focused on fostering constructive public conversation by amplifying underheard voices in communities and media. It builds advanced AI-powered platforms like Hearth and Fora that analyze, record, and surface community conversations to improve mutual understanding, empathy, and civic engagement. Cortico serves civic organizations, media, local leadership, and communities by providing tools to capture authentic dialogue, enabling more informed decision-making and stronger democratic foundations. Its work addresses the decline in public conversation quality and aims to rebuild trust in social and institutional frameworks through inclusive, data-driven listening[1][2][3][4].
Founded in 2016 by Prof. Deb Roy, Russell Stevens, and Eugene Yi, Cortico emerged from collaboration with the MIT Center for Constructive Communication (CCC) at the MIT Media Lab. The founders brought expertise in AI, computational social science, and media, aiming to tackle social fragmentation by creating technology that supports meaningful dialogue. The company maintains a unique cooperation agreement with MIT, enabling joint research, prototyping, and field pilots. Early pivotal moments include launching the Hearth device and the Local Voices Network, which facilitated community conversations and demonstrated the power of AI-assisted listening to surface local concerns[7][1][3].
Cortico rides the growing trend of leveraging AI for social good, particularly in enhancing civic engagement and public discourse. As trust in institutions erodes globally, the timing is critical for technologies that rebuild social cohesion by fostering empathetic listening and inclusive dialogue. Market forces such as increasing polarization, misinformation, and demand for transparent governance create a fertile environment for Cortico’s solutions. By enabling communities to share experiences rather than opinions, Cortico influences the broader ecosystem by promoting healthier democratic practices and more responsive leadership[3][6][7].
Looking ahead, Cortico aims to expand the reach of its Local Voices Network and enhance its AI-assisted sensemaking tools to better support public officials and community organizations. Trends shaping its journey include the integration of more advanced AI to scale qualitative analysis and the growing societal emphasis on equity and inclusion in civic processes. Cortico’s influence is likely to deepen as it helps shape a people-first economy and democratic dialogue, making it a key player in the intersection of technology, social science, and community empowerment[6][8]. Its mission to restore trust and foster empathy through conversation remains highly relevant in today’s fragmented social landscape.
Key people at Cortico.
