AI and Relationships: Revolutionizing How We Navigate Human Connections
Introduction
In the ever-evolving world of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken center stage. From chatbots to self-driving cars, AI’s reach is vast. However, a lesser-discussed yet highly impactful area of AI’s application is in human relationships. How can AI improve our connections with loved ones, friends, and even colleagues? Allen Didovich, the founder of Extra Intel and the creator of the “Deal With My Partner” app, joins us to delve into this exciting new frontier. In this podcast episode, Allen shares his journey and his mission to make relationships easier to navigate with AI assistance. His story is one of passion, technological innovation, and a commitment to helping people live better lives.
Who Is Allen Didovich?
Before diving into the intricacies of the “Deal With My Partner” app and how it’s changing the relationship landscape, it’s important to understand Allen Didovich’s background. From a young age, Allen was passionate about technology, a passion that was nurtured by his father, a first-generation Australian. While many children dream of becoming firefighters or pilots, Allen’s dreams took shape in the world of computers. This early passion for computing laid the foundation for his later career in high-tech fields such as speech recognition, telecommunications, and eventually, AI.
Allen’s career trajectory saw him at the forefront of several innovations, including his role in launching Australia’s first mobile network with Vodafone. In the late 90s, Allen began venturing into telecommunications, building mobile networks, and eventually working on 5G networks for Vodafone in Australia. But despite his success in the tech world, Allen was troubled by the lack of resources for people seeking advice about relationships. This frustration led him to create an app that could provide help in this very space.
Why Focus on Relationships?
The Power of AI in Relationships
Many may wonder why Allen chose to focus on relationships when his background is in cutting-edge technology. The answer lies in Allen’s personal experience. Like many of us, he faced challenges in his relationships and found that there were few accessible, effective resources to address them. For Allen, AI wasn’t just a tool to solve complex technical problems—it was a tool to improve the day-to-day lives of individuals.
Relationships, whether romantic, familial, or professional, are integral to our well-being. However, maintaining healthy relationships is not always easy. As Allen shared, small problems in relationships, if left unresolved, can snowball into larger issues. The goal of the “Deal With My Partner” app is to help users address these smaller challenges before they escalate, providing simple yet practical advice and guidance.
Creating a Solution for Everyone
The uniqueness of the “Deal With My Partner” app lies in its approach to relationship problems. Most people may think of a relationship app as just a platform for conflict resolution or advice on how to communicate better with a partner. However, Allen’s vision was broader. The app was designed to address the full spectrum of relationships—from the romantic relationship between partners to professional interactions with bosses and coworkers, to even relationships with pets.
But what makes the app stand out isn’t just the broad scope. It’s the simplicity and accessibility of the technology. Many high-tech platforms can be overwhelming or difficult to navigate. Allen and his team were intentional in ensuring that the “Deal With My Partner” app was intuitive, easy to use, and offered actionable insights.
The Challenges of Building the App
Turning Complex Technology into a Simple Solution
Building an app that combines the complexities of AI with the nuances of human relationships was no easy task. Allen admits that one of the greatest challenges was making sophisticated AI technology accessible to the average user. The key was in designing an interface that would allow users to express their relationship challenges in a straightforward manner.
Rather than creating just another chatbot or automated system, the team behind the app wanted to offer something that would engage users meaningfully. The app helps users articulate both their problems and their emotions, and provides tailored, actionable advice based on these inputs. It’s not just about solving problems; it’s about creating an emotional connection with the user and helping them feel understood.
Unexpected Discoveries Along the Way
Building the “Deal With My Partner” app revealed some surprising insights. One of the most unexpected discoveries was how the app resonated with the trans community. Relationships in trans individuals’ lives often come with unique challenges that may not be fully understood by others. For many, the app provided much-needed support in navigating those challenges, offering a sense of community and understanding that they had previously lacked.
Another surprising aspect of the app’s development was the realization that relationships are not always about solving problems. Many users reported that the app helped improve their relationships even when things were going well. Positive affirmations, small pieces of advice, and proactive communication tips helped users build stronger, more fulfilling relationships. The “Deal With My Partner” app became not just a tool for conflict resolution, but also for celebrating the good times in relationships.
The Future of AI in Relationships
Expanding Beyond Romantic Relationships
While the initial focus of the app was on romantic relationships, Allen and his team are already planning expansions. Future versions of the app will include more categories, such as “Deal With My Boss,” “Deal With My Children,” and “Deal With Myself.” These expansions reflect a growing recognition that relationships are a complex web that spans multiple facets of our lives. AI, in this context, has the potential to address all of these different relationships in a personalized and insightful way.
As AI technology continues to improve, it will only become better at understanding the intricacies of human relationships. Allen’s vision is for AI to not only provide solutions but also to help us understand ourselves and our relationships on a deeper level. By leveraging technology to enhance our understanding of human dynamics, we can improve our connections with others and lead more fulfilling lives
About the podcast
Let’s Talk Impact is a podcast series that explores the intersection of entrepreneurship and social impact. Hosted by Justyna Kedra and produced by The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and WERULE, the podcast features interviews with a diverse range of changemakers. From government officials to activists and entrepreneurs, these guests share their insights on the evolving definition of impactful work and the motivations driving their efforts. By focusing on the stories behind the initiatives, Let’s Talk Impact aims to inspire and inform listeners about the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change in the world.
About the hosts
Justyna Kedra, the founder of WERULE, received her BFA degree from Parsons the New School where she successfully finished their toughest major: Fashion Design. Since then she worked in Public Relations with celebrities ranging from Jeremy Scott, Lady Gaga to Madonna at People’s Revolution under the wing of Kelly Cutrone. Justyna is also no stranger to the corporate world working for 6 years in financial services at American Express generating over 20 Billion in acquisitions for Centurion, Platinum, Green Cards as well features such as their most successful “Employee Card” treatment. She also served as an advisor to the American Express’ President of US Consumer Services on topics related to the team’s culture.
She is a mentor & a team member at The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and a mentor at the Tory Burch Foundation, the AARP Foundation x Bridge for Billions program for aspiring founders over 50. Because of her work, she was recognized as the youngest Champion of Change at the United Nations. A book she co-authored with Erika De La Cruz, Editor in Chief at The La Girl, has become a bestseller across multiple categories and is available at Barnes and Noble.
Justyna also hosts a podcast, a collaboration between WERULE and The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative, called Let’s Talk Impact, which was in the top 5% most shared podcasts globally according to Spotify Wrapped.
Filippo Rustichini is a digital designer and creative director, co-creating human-centered and inclusive experiences, in order to foster cross-cultural dialogues. His multimedia works, including art installation Kyklos (2021), have been featured at digital arts festivals across Europe (UK, Spain and Italy) and in the US. He is currently working at the New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative, a university-wide project that supports students’ ventures addressing social impact and innovation. Filippo also worked at various social service organizations supporting homeless and low-income communities in the US and in Spain.
About the Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative
The Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative (IEI) at The New School fosters a transformative approach to business and social change. We equip students with the skills to create innovative, inclusive, and sustainable ventures that address pressing global challenges. Through our interdisciplinary curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, and strong community partnerships, we empower students to become agents of positive change and build a more equitable world.
About WERULE
WERULE is a global platform dedicated to connecting individuals with life-changing mentors. Founded in 2015, they started by sharing stories of successful female entrepreneurs, becoming a recognized resource for women seeking inspiration and guidance. Today, WERULE offers a wider range of resources, including an AI-powered mentorship app used by businesses and organizations worldwide. Their mission is to make mentorship accessible to everyone, regardless of background or stage in life. They believe in the transformative power of mentorship and strive to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.