Interhuman AI Raises €2M to Enhance Social Intelligence in AI

Interhuman AI, a startup based in Copenhagen, has successfully secured €2 million in a pre-seed funding round aimed at enhancing artificial intelligence’s ability to understand human social cues. Led by PSV Tech, the financing also includes contributions from the European Investment Fund (EIFO), Antler, The Yope Foundation, and angel investors associated with Ada Ventures. This funding will facilitate the development of Interhuman’s application programming interface (API) and platform, bolster its technical team, and initiate pilot projects in healthcare and education.

Bridging the Communication Gap

Large language models have made significant strides in processing language, but they often overlook critical elements of human interaction. Research indicates that as much as 93% of communication is non-verbal, encompassing tone, body language, and subtle behavioural shifts. Interhuman AI aims to address this gap by creating a social intelligence layer for AI systems.

Paula Petcu, co-founder and CEO of Interhuman AI, stated, “AI can’t stay transactional if it’s going to matter in people’s lives. Our mission is to bring social intelligence into AI, so it can actually read the room and respond more like a human would. This round gives us the fuel to prove that.” The startup’s technology interprets observable behaviours, such as confusion or engagement, rather than simply categorizing emotions like happiness or sadness.

Frederik Sally, co-founder and COO, elaborated on their approach: “A lot of work in affective computing has focused on detecting emotions. The problem is that emotions are internal states, and trying to label them often oversimplifies what’s really happening. We focus instead on behaviours: the external signals people show, like confusion, disagreement, hesitation, or engagement.”

This focus on behavioural cues positions Interhuman AI alongside other companies like Hume and Tavus, though the founders note that their methodologies differ significantly.

The Founders’ Journey

Paula Petcu’s background is rooted in health tech and data science. Previously the CTO at Brain+ and involved in digital health initiatives at Lundbeck, she has been recognized as one of Denmark’s Top 100 young talents. Originally from Romania, Petcu moved to Denmark in 2009 to pursue computer science and has since emerged as a leading figure among women in technology.

She expressed her motivation for founding Interhuman, saying, “I’m a technologist who fell in love with the human brain. When GPT was released, it was a moment of realisation of a new wave of technology impacting the world.” Petcu’s collaboration with Professor Line Clemmensen, an expert in AI and machine learning, and Frederik Sally, a seasoned entrepreneur, helped shape the startup’s vision.

Petcu emphasised the importance of representation in tech, noting the rarity of her role as a female technical CEO. “There haven’t been many role models to look to. What I’ve learned is you need to rely on your strengths, learn to say no to distractions, and build resilience like an athlete,” she shared.

Future Aspirations

Over the next three to five years, Interhuman AI plans to establish partnerships and integrations with hundreds of companies, refining its models as adoption expands. The founders envision their technology as foundational infrastructure that will become standard in human-AI interactions.

Alexander Viterbo-Horten, Partner at PSV Tech, commented on the significance of the startup’s work, stating, “Interhuman AI is exactly the kind of technological breakthrough Europe needs. It shows that European founders can lead in frontier AI while staying true to the ethical and scientific standards that will define global trust in technology.”

With this funding, Interhuman AI aims to not only advance its technology but also to set a precedent for socially aware AI applications across various industries.