The Copenhagen-based startup is building a platform to help AI interpret human gestures, expressions, and tone of voice.
Interhuman AI, a Copenhagen startup developing what it calls the first social intelligence system for artificial intelligence, has raised €2 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by Nordic VC PSV, with participation from EIFO (Export and Investment Fund of Denmark), Antler, the Yope Foundation, and angels connected to Ada Ventures.
Founded by Paula Petcu and a team with AI, psychology, and behavioral science backgrounds, Frederik Sally, and Professor Line Clemmensen. Interhuman AI is creating a platform and API to give developers access to socially aware AI models. The technology aims to enable systems to recognize facial expressions, gestures, and vocal tonality—signals that make up the majority of human communication but are often invisible to today’s AI.
“Our investment in Interhuman AI is the next and meaningful step in the evolving AI industry” said Mathias Kaasgaard, Investment Manager at EIFO. “With its technology deeply rooted in scientific discoveries at DTU, the company demonstrates what stronghold we have in the AI ecosystem in Denmark and how we can contribute to European innovation within new and transformative technologies”
Interhuman AI says its approach combines computer vision, audio analysis, psychology, and behavioral science to translate raw human cues into contextual social signals. For example, a smile combined with leaning forward may signal engagement, while the same smile paired with leaning back might indicate something else entirely.
The company argues that this “social awareness” could make conversational AI more natural and useful across sectors. In education, AI tutors could adapt to a student’s learning style. In healthcare, AI could respond with more empathy. In sales and customer service, systems could interpret frustration or confidence and adjust responses accordingly.
PSV Tech partner Alexander Viterbo-Horten said that adding social intelligence could reshape multiple industries: “This breakthrough has the potential to transform healthcare, education, and any sector where human-AI interaction matters. Interhuman AI is leading this shift with rare technical depth, scientific rigor, and the ambition to unlock this frontier.”
Interhuman AI plans to use the funding to expand its team of AI engineers and accelerate platform development. The company is positioning itself as a pioneer in bridging the gap between human social cues and machine understanding—a step it says is critical as AI interactions become more central to work and everyday life.