A Leicester artificial intelligence start-up developing a pioneering approach to conflict resolution has completed its founding leadership team with the appointment of experienced AI entrepreneur Ed Brown as co-founder and technical director.
Brown joins AOT-AI (Art of Thinking AI) with an equity stake and seat on the board, bringing more than six years’ experience designing AI applications, machine learning systems and technology platforms for both start-ups and established businesses.
His appointment marks a significant milestone for the Leicester company as it continues developing AOT FISTBUMP, an AI-powered dialogue platform designed to help people better understand the beliefs, misunderstandings and behaviours that underpin conflict.
Founded by Lizzie Soden and Dr Greg Scorzo, AOT-AI combines philosophy, behavioural science and artificial intelligence to create technology that supports, rather than replaces, human decision-making. Its proprietary Values-Embedded Architecture has been designed to ensure AI remains aligned with human ethics and values throughout the decision-making process.
Brown’s arrival completes a founding team bringing together expertise in philosophy, creative strategy and advanced AI engineering, providing the technical capability to accelerate product development while the company pursues strategic investment and research funding.
Originally trained as a structural engineer, Brown moved into data science before co-founding Appally, a workplace support platform for neurodivergent employees that reached the Tech Nation Rising Stars final and participated in the prestigious Bethnal Green Ventures accelerator programme. More recently, he founded EB Data & AI Solutions, developing bespoke AI applications and automation systems for growing businesses.
The three founders first met through Leicester’s thriving start-up community, where discussions around technology and entrepreneurship quickly evolved into a shared vision for a different kind of artificial intelligence.
Left to right: Ed Brown, Lizzie Soden and Dr Greg Scorzo
Ed Brown, co-founder and technical director at AOT-AI, said:
“What convinced me to join was the ambition and originality behind Art of Thinking and FISTBUMP. This isn’t simply another AI application. It’s a vision for how AI and humans could interact in a fundamentally different way, particularly within conflict resolution.
“Greg and Lizzie’s conviction in the broader potential of the technology, combined with the complementary skills the three of us bring, gives this project a genuine opportunity to create something distinctive.”
The appointment also reinforces Leicester’s growing reputation as an emerging centre for AI innovation, with AOT-AI joining a rapidly expanding community of technology businesses, university research and start-up support programmes helping to establish the city as a hub for responsible artificial intelligence.
The company is currently part of the Leicester Startups incubator programme and has established academic partnerships with De Montfort University, providing independent methodological rigour and ethical oversight as the technology develops.
Lizzie Soden, co-founder and creative director, said:
“We’ve found someone who understands not only how to build sophisticated AI systems, but why this technology matters. Ed thinks deeply about how artificial intelligence can strengthen human understanding rather than replace it.
“That combination of technical excellence and shared values made him the ideal person to join us as a co-founder.”
Dr Greg Scorzo added:
“Working with Ed on the prototype has been seamless. He’s contributing far beyond software engineering. He’s thinking about architecture, deployment and how the technology can work effectively in real-world settings.
“Our backgrounds are very different, but together they create a unique combination of philosophical thinking, human-centred design and technical expertise.”
AOT FISTBUMP is currently at Technology Readiness Level 3, with development focused on building a robust prototype while the company progresses applications for strategic investment and research funding.
The company is SEIS eligible and is seeking investors who share its ambition to develop ethical AI capable of improving human understanding across sectors including workplace mediation, legal services, education and public services.
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