Autentik AI is not just another tech company. It’s a company on a mission to reshape the way we communicate and connect in the workplace—especially for the neurodivergent community.
Zhanna Beletskaya
In this exclusive interview, Zhanna Beletskaya, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Autentik AI, shares the company’s journey and their vision of empowering neurodivergent individuals through inclusive AI tools.
Why build AI tools for neurodivergent individuals?
(Photo: Shutterstock)
Over 1 billion people globally are neurodivergent. They face everyday communication challenges in the workplace that can seem invisible to others. This includes difficulties with managing time, decoding social cues, and avoiding burnout.
Shockingly, around 50% of neurodivergent employees experience significant burnout, often leading to them quitting their jobs. This loss of talent and creativity can profoundly affect organisations, as diverse teams have been shown to achieve 60% better results due to their varied perspectives.
At Autentik AI, the journey started with a simple yet impactful question: Why aren’t more tools designed specifically for neurodivergent users? This gap led Autentik AI to a realisation that would become the foundation of their company.
They recognised that the key to bridging this divide was developing tools that could cater to neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals, enabling smoother communication and collaboration within diverse teams.
“We initially started with developing tools for private communication, mainly for autistic individuals, and these tools quickly gained popularity,” Zhanna shares. Today, we have built a community of over 20,000 neurodivergent individuals. This community tests the products and gives permanent feedback, helping shape the most relevant and impactful solutions.
What was your role in making this vision a reality?
Turning a vision into reality takes dedication, constant collaboration, and a deep understanding of your users. As CMO, Zhanna was crucial in ensuring the tools Autentik AI built were user-centric and genuinely transformative.
She worked closely with the tech team to create solutions that reflect the real-world needs of neurodivergent individuals. So, how did she make this vision a reality? Here’s what she shared.
“We make sure every tool we create stays focused on the user. We have developed a range of tools designed to enhance communication clarity and foster better understanding and inclusivity across diverse teams.”
Autentik AI’s flagship product is a B2B desktop AI tool that offers more than just standard support. It is a personalised accommodation between neurodivergent and neurotypical employees, improving communication, productivity, and inclusion. Here’s how:
- Inclusive Communication Enhancer: Helps bridge communication gaps, making workplace discussions more transparent and inclusive.
- Deep Dialogue and Intentions Analyzer: This tool offers insights into the deeper meaning behind conversations, helping neurodivergent individuals decode intentions.
- Small-Talk and Hidden Meanings Assistant: This tool helps users navigate casual workplace conversations, which are often challenging for neurodivergent individuals.
“Our product has already made a real impact by offering personalised support. The feedback we’ve received from our users proves that we’re creating an ecosystem where people feel understood, supported, and empowered,” Zhanna explains.
Customisable Accessibility For Neurodivergent Users
Photo by Roberto Nickson
Autentik AI understood this challenge and decided to go beyond traditional design principles. Some members of our team are neurodivergent, which has shaped how we design our products. Our interfaces are intentionally made to be accessible and customizable, so they can work for a wide range of needs and preferences.
Pro Tip: If you’re designing for inclusivity, make your users part of the process!
How has having neurodivergent team members shaped Autentik AI?
Autentik AI recognised from its founding that developing products for any community requires including community members in every development step. They made neurodivergent individuals a central part of their team, and their input has informed every aspect of the tools created.
“Our neurodivergent team members are the heartbeat of Autentik AI. Their experiences and insights have been crucial to our success. From product development to user feedback, they help shape every decision. Having a team with such diverse perspectives fosters creativity and leads to more thoughtful, innovative solutions.” Zhanna shares how this diversity has positively influenced Autentik AI’s approach and growth.
Key insight: Inclusivity isn’t just a goal—it’s a process that starts from within.
What’s next for Autentik AI?
Autentik AI is on a mission to revolutionize both corporate and private communication by making it more effective, inclusive, and adaptive to the diverse needs of today’s teams. While the shift towards more inclusive communication is still in its early stages for many organizations, Autentik AI is pushing the boundaries to close the gaps in understanding and inclusivity that remain a challenge.
“We’re just getting started,” says Zhanna. “Our goal is to expand our toolset and spark a wider conversation about inclusivity in technology. The economic and social benefits of accessible tech are enormous. For example, the UK loses billions each year due to the inaccessibility of many platforms. We want to change that—one AI-powered solution at a time.”
Autentik AI is leading the charge in reshaping the future of inclusive technology, and this is just the beginning. Stay tuned to see how we continue to drive change.
Advice to startups looking to build inclusive technology?
“Focus on the user—always. Make them part of the process and keep refining based on their feedback. Remember, accessibility is about creating something that serves real needs. Prioritise simplicity, privacy, and ethics.
If you can get those right, your product will be inclusive and truly valuable. Great tech solves real problems—and does it with empathy,” Zhanna offers her top advice to emerging tech startups on how they can follow in their footsteps.
Building inclusive technology isn’t just a trend—it’s a responsibility. As more startups enter the space, they can learn from companies like Autentik AI.
Final Thoughts
Autentik AI is setting the bar for inclusive technology, crafting tools to support neurodivergent individuals. Their forward-thinking team and user-focused approach make Autentik AI much more than a mere tech company—it catalyses change!
Discover more about their mission and tools at Autentik AI.
