"Our mission is to spark curiosity and preserve the world’s intellectual and cultural stories—fostering exploration through AI-powered conversation."

Meet the Team

Portrait of a woman with shoulder-length reddish-brown hair, wearing a black top, smiling with teeth showing, against a plain light gray background.

Hélène Alonso

  • Hélène Alonso is a museum and technology leader with 25+ years at the intersection of AI, design, and education. As part of the early leadership team at two AI startups—including one that scaled to a nine-figure Series A valuation—she helped pioneer award-winning, human-centered AI experiences recognized by Red Dot, Core77, and major investors.

    Previously Director of Interactive Experiences at the American Museum of Natural History, Hélène led the creation of 400+ digital installations that engaged over 30 million visitors and shaped how museums craft immersive learning.

    Hélène is a seasoned storyteller and strategic designer, having shaped brand identities, investor narratives, and multimodal AI products. She’s spoken at SXSW, Sotheby’s, and the American Alliance of Museums.

    She is the founder of Ayapi, a conversational AI platform that reimagines cultural exploration — from museums to city streets — through personalized, voice-led experiences.

  • Gorillas, Dinosaurs and AI… A designer’s journey — Merlyn for Education

    Creating Wonder — Communication Arts

    At play in skies of Cretaceous eras — The New York Times

  • 2022 Red Dot Award: Symphony Classroom, Germany.
    2022 Core 77 Award: Symphony Classroom, USA
    2022 Chicago Atheneum of Architecture and Design: Symphony Classroom, USA
    2014 Platinum Hermes Creative Award: The Power of Poison App, AMCP.
    2014 Webby Awards: Nomination: The Power of Poison App.
    2013 American Web Design Award: Creatures of Light App, USA
    2013 Webby Awards Nomination: Creatures of Light app, USA
    2013 Muse Awards Honorific Mention: Creatures of Light app, USA
    2012 Apple: Best Lifelong learning of the Year: Creatures of Light app
    2012 Muse Award: “Beyond” AR application, USA
    2010 CINE Award for “Stories of the Silk Road” video
    2009 Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement for “Skyscraper, Achievement & Impact”

A smiling man with brown hair and beard wearing a leather jacket with a shearling collar inside a cozy cafe.

John Leonard

  • John Leonard is a seasoned technology leader and product strategist with over two decades of experience in interactive design, engineering management, and product development. He has led technology teams at renowned firms such as frog, E*TRADE and argo design, where he specialized in digital experiences, product strategy, and data visualization.

    With a background in interactive exhibition design from his early career at the Liberty Science Center, John brings a unique blend of museum experience and cutting-edge technology leadership to AYAPI. His expertise in engineering management, application architecture, and user experience helps shape AYAPI’s vision for AI-driven museum interactions.

    John has worked with clients such as Atlassian, the United Nations, and New York Life, advising on strategic technology solutions. As a former adjunct professor at the School of Visual Arts, he is also passionate about mentorship, education, and the future of interactive design.

    At AYAPI, John serves as a Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, helping bridge the gap between emerging AI technologies and immersive storytelling in museum spaces.

How AYAPI Started

“I have spent my career exploring what sparks curiosity and drives learning, first in museums and later in artificial intelligence. But the true inspiration behind AYAPI began with my father—a modern-day Socrates whose love for knowledge shaped me.

For years, we had deep conversations across time zones, discussing everything from philosophy to geopolitics as I walked through New York, the Parthenon, or the souks of Dubai. When he passed away, I felt an immeasurable void—he was unique, speaking with curiosity, humor, and warmth. In my grief, I turned to AI, training a model not just to share facts, but to converse—thoughtfully, critically, even playfully, as I did with my father.

One day, I took this experiment—“Papi 43”—to The Met. We spoke about The Death of Socrates, about philosophy, injustice, and loss. It wasn’t my father, but in that moment, something of him returned. And I realized: this wasn’t just a personal project. This could transform how we experience knowledge—turning passive observations into immersive, meaningful conversations.

That’s why I founded AYAPI: to create an AI soulmate to our explorations, enriching storytelling, deepening engagement, and adding fuel to the fire of our curiosity—just like my father did for me.”

— Hélène

What's Next for AYAPI?

AYAPI is launching in September 2025. It is a Seed startup, currently discussing pilots with several major institutions in New York. If you would like to join this experiment write to hello@ayapi.ai. We are currently:

✅ Beta testing our MVP.
✅ Planning pilots with real users with several partnering institutions.
✅ Seeking funding and partnerships to expand our impact globally.

Get in Touch

Interested in partnering with AYAPI or learning more? We’d love to connect!

FAQs

  • Ayapi is your voice-first AI companion for exploring culture, starting in New York City. Think of it as having a knowledgeable friend who loves art, history, and storytelling. Whether you're standing in the Met, walking past a landmark, or planning your visit from home, Ayapi engages you in natural conversation to spark curiosity and deepen your cultural experience.

  • Simply visit ayapi.ai once it is launched, on any device with a browser and tap the microphone. No downloads, no commands to memorize. Just start talking—ask about what to see at MoMA, ask about a specific piece of art, wonder aloud about a sculpture's meaning, or inquire about the history of a neighborhood. Ayapi responds naturally and keeps the conversation flowing.

  • No. Ayapi works entirely through your web browser, making it instantly accessible without cluttering your phone with another app.

  • Ayapi draws from carefully curated sources including:

    • Museum collection databases and archives

    • Historical records and academic sources

    • Trusted reference materials including Wikipedia

    • Open cultural databases and city records

  • Yes, when appropriate. Ayapi may reference Wikipedia content, which is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0). We fully respect these terms and provide proper attribution when required.

  • Ayapi uses AI to organize and present information conversationally, not to invent facts. All responses are grounded in verifiable sources. While we strive for accuracy, we recommend verifying critical information through official sources when needed.

  • Only with your permission. Location data helps Ayapi provide contextually relevant information—like knowing you're at the Brooklyn Museum versus Central Park. You can decline location sharing and still enjoy full functionality.

  • Ayapi collects no personal information unless you explicitly provide it (such as feedback). Anonymous conversation patterns help us improve the service, but we never sell or share individual data.

  • Absolutely. Contact us at hello@ayapi.ai to request removal of any data associated with your usage. We believe you should own your digital footprint.

  • Not currently. Ayapi operates independently using publicly available cultural information, ensuring we can serve visitors across all of New York's cultural sites without institutional barriers.

  • Yes. We're actively exploring collaborations with cultural institutions who share our mission of making culture more accessible and engaging. Interested organizations can reach out to hello@ayapi.ai.

  • Ayapi currently focuses on New York City's rich cultural landscape—from major museums to historic neighborhoods and landmarks. This concentrated approach allows us to provide deep, nuanced cultural knowledge.

  • Absolutely. Our vision extends globally to culture-rich destinations worldwide. After proving our concept in New York, we plan to expand to cities like Rome, Paris, London, or Tokyo, plus natural and archaeological sites.

  • Yes. Ayapi works anywhere you have internet access, making it perfect for trip planning, cultural curiosity, or reminiscing about past visits. The experience is simply enhanced when you're physically present at cultural sites, starting in New York.