The Understanding Engine was born from a simple observation: despite having more ways to communicate than ever before, people are struggling to truly understand each other. Misunderstandings lead to conflicts, relationships suffer, and important conversations get avoided because they feel too difficult.
As a physician, Dr. Kraus saw this play out daily – in patient consultations where crucial information was lost in translation, in healthcare teams where communication breakdowns led to errors, and in his own life where his neurodivergent perspective sometimes created unexpected barriers.
The breakthrough came when Dr. Kraus realized that the strategies he'd developed to navigate communication as a neurodivergent individual – breaking down complex topics, checking for understanding, reframing statements for clarity – were universally valuable[4]. Combined with advances in AI technology, these strategies could be scaled to help anyone.
What started as a personal project quickly evolved into something bigger. Early users reported breakthrough conversations with family members they hadn't spoken to in years. Couples on the brink of divorce found new ways to understand each other. Teams that were stuck in conflict started collaborating effectively.
Today, The Understanding Engine serves users across diverse backgrounds – from individuals preparing for difficult conversations to therapists enhancing their practice, from HR professionals mediating workplace conflicts to families navigating generational differences. Each success story reinforces our belief: better communication isn't just possible – it's teachable, learnable, and transformative.