This Thursday at Community Breakfast, Lukas took the floor. Slightly volunteered, he admitted. But within minutes, the room was all in.
Originally from Germany, Lukas’ path has been anything but linear. From humanitarian work in Africa to working with AI, his journey bridges two very different worlds. And somehow, it all makes perfect sense.
The 3 Billion People We Forget
Lukas introduced us to a reality that is easy to overlook.
More than three billion people are still offline. Not because of missing infrastructure, but because of barriers like language, literacy, and cost. That is where his work begins.
At Viamo, they use basic mobile phones. Not smartphones. No apps. Just simple voice technology that allows people to call a number and access information. It may sound simple, but it is not.
When AI Meets Real Life
Here is where it gets interesting. By combining voice technology with AI, people can now ask questions. Not just listen. Not just receive. But interact.
And they ask everything. From football rivalries to deeply personal and life-changing concerns. Health, safety, relationships, and survival.
It is raw, unfiltered, and incredibly human.
Building for the Real World
What stood out most was the scale. Millions of users. Hundreds of millions of interactions. Entire populations reached through something as simple as a phone call.
But also the responsibility. Because when you build tools like this, accuracy matters. Trust matters. Context matters. And Lukas and his team are navigating all of it.
Why It Matters to All of Us
This was not just a talk about AI.
It was a reminder that technology looks very different depending on where you stand. Here at Republikken, we build products, ideas, and companies every day. But Lukas’ story adds perspective.
Who are we building for? And who are we leaving out? That question lingers. In a good way.
And that is exactly what Republikken is about. Conversations that expand how we see the world. So great to have you here, Lukas.