We’re excited to welcome Parai to the BK-Launch community. Founded by Robin Smits and Jim Blom, the venture explores how technology can strengthen the role of societal perspectives in shaping the built environment.
In many planning and policy processes, citizen input is often translated into summaries, reports, and key takeaways. While this makes information easier to process, it can also result in the loss of nuance, context, and diversity in perspectives. Parai addresses this gap by developing new ways to work with qualitative input – without reducing its richness.
Using Large Language Models, Parai transforms complex societal input into interactive “stemdragers”: AI-driven personas that represent real perspectives. These digital characters retain the detail and context of citizen contributions and can be engaged throughout the decision-making process, whether through conversations, participation in discussions, or representing specific viewpoints when needed.
This approach allows policymakers, designers, and other stakeholders to interact with societal input in a more dynamic and continuous way. Rather than participation being a one-time step, it becomes an integrated part of the entire process.
Parai’s work is rooted in a research-driven mindset. As graduates of TU Delft, Robin and Jim approach entrepreneurship as a process of learning by doing: combining design, experimentation, and critical reflection. Their work sits at the intersection of technology and ethics, with a strong focus on how innovation can contribute to more inclusive and responsive urban development.
By bridging the gap between decision-makers and the people affected by those decisions, Parai contributes to a broader shift within the built environment: one that values not only efficiency, but also depth, diversity, and lived experience.
Curious to learn more? Visit parai.nl.
Category: Community