Tech expert unveils voice-first AI platform

Nigerian software engineer Kingsley Udoma, along with co-founders Jide Loye and Israel Akpan, has launched Theresa AI, a novel voice-first artificial intelligence system. The platform is engineered to guide users through any subject they are contemplating, offering a conversational approach to learning and problem-solving.

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The problem was never a lack of content. After all, the internet is drowning in content. What I noticed was missing was somebody to actually talk to.

Udoma explained that the inspiration for Theresa AI stemmed from observing people repeatedly struggle with explanations despite abundant online content. He identified a need for a direct conversational partner. "What I noticed was missing was somebody to actually talk to," Udoma stated. Theresa AI listens, responds, and thinks in real time, assisting users with assignments, work challenges, or late-night curiosities without requiring typing, although that option is available.

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So, instead of building another app to scroll through, my team built something that listens, responds, and thinks alongside you in real time, whether you’re stuck on an assignment, wrestling with a work problem, or just chasing a random curiosity at 1 am.

What sets Theresa AI apart is its natural interaction. It provides spoken answers to spoken questions and can break down complex problems step-by-step, even sketching diagrams on screen like a tutor. The AI is designed to adapt its pace and approach based on the user's perceived understanding, mirroring human tutoring. Co-founder Loye highlighted that Theresa AI also speaks in Nigerian dialects, understanding and responding in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, French, and Spanish, thus removing language barriers to accessing support.

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If you ask it a question out loud, you get an answer back out loud. There is no typing required, though it is there if you want it.

Theresa AI is currently in its testing phase, with plans for a broader launch across Nigeria. Udoma's objective is to provide accessible, one-on-one support, which is often scarce in the country. This venture follows Udoma's previous success with NounPaddi, an EdTech platform serving over 1,600 students at the National Open University of Nigeria.

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It doesn’t just recite. It reads the room. If you sound lost, it slows down and tries a different angle, the same way a person would if they saw the confusion on your face.