Pienso

Pienso, founded in 2016 by Karthik Dinakar and Birago Jones at MIT, aims to make machine learning accessible to non-programmers. Originating from a need to integrate human expertise with AI, Pienso offers a user-friendly interface that allows subject experts to interact with machine learning models directly, without relying on developers.

Headquartered in Arlington, VA / DC, Pienso collaborates with diverse sectors such as government, media, and pharmaceuticals to enhance their use of language models. The company recently celebrated $10 million in Series A funding and was honoured by CogX for advancements in natural language processing.

Pienso's mission is to empower experts by making their data more accessible and actionable, thus supporting deeper exploration and understanding. The company's approach is characterised by thoughtfulness, playfulness, purpose, and humility, reflecting their commitment to user-centric innovation and continuous learning.

Pienso was founded in 2016 by Karthik Dinakar and Birago Jones during their time at MIT. The concept emerged from their research on AI-based content moderation, where they identified a crucial gap: the need to reintegrate human expertise into the AI process. They envisioned a platform that would allow experts across various fields to interact with machine learning models directly, without requiring advanced programming skills.

Their goal was to develop a simple, intuitive interface that would enable users to apply their specialised knowledge to machine learning without relying on developers. This approach aimed to bridge the gap between complex AI technologies and the valuable insights of subject experts.

In 2016, Pienso was established with the mission of creating a leading machine-learning platform designed specifically for non-programmers. The company quickly gained traction, securing seed funding from notable investors, including Eniac Ventures, Uncork Capital, Indicator Ventures, and the MIT E14 Fund.

Pienso’s headquarters are located in Arlington, VA / DC, from where it serves a diverse clientele, including government agencies, media organisations, and pharmaceutical companies. The platform supports these industries in leveraging and training language models to enhance their work.

The company’s focus is on providing a reflective interface that allows experts to explore and manipulate their data iteratively and independently. By empowering users to shape and deploy language models, Pienso aims to make data more searchable, actionable, and understandable.

In March 2024, Pienso celebrated a significant milestone with $10 million in Series A funding. This achievement underscores the company’s growth and the increasing recognition of its role in advancing natural language processing. Additionally, Pienso was honoured by CogX for its contributions to NLP, highlighting its impact on the field.

Pienso’s philosophy emphasises thoughtfulness, playfulness, purpose, and humility. The company prioritises understanding user needs and continuously learning from its customers. This approach reflects its commitment to enabling experts to fully utilise their data and advance their fields through effective AI integration.

Pienso’s mission is to make machine learning accessible to subject experts by providing a user-friendly platform that integrates human expertise with advanced AI technologies. By offering an intuitive interface, Pienso aims to empower users across various industries to explore, train, and deploy language models independently, enhancing their ability to derive actionable insights from their data.

Pienso envisions a world where experts in any field can seamlessly harness the power of machine learning to deepen their understanding and drive innovation. The company strives to democratise access to advanced AI tools, enabling users to fully leverage their specialised knowledge and explore new possibilities without requiring extensive programming skills.

Pienso offers a range of products and services designed to make machine learning accessible to non-programmers and enhance data exploration for experts. The core of Pienso’s offering is its intuitive platform, which provides a user-friendly interface for interacting with and training machine learning models. This platform allows subject experts to explore their data iteratively, without needing deep programming knowledge.

Key features include:

1. Reflective Interface: A point-and-click interface that enables users to manipulate and analyse data independently, facilitating a hands-on approach to machine learning without relying on developers.
2. Language Model Training: Tools for training and fine-tuning language models, tailored to specific industry needs, including government, media, and pharmaceuticals.
3. Data Exploration: Capabilities for searching, visualising, and making data actionable, enhancing users' ability to derive insights and make informed decisions.

Customisation and Deployment: Support for customising and deploying language models, allowing users to tailor solutions to their unique requirements.