"Our mission is to spark curiosity and preserve the world’s intellectual and cultural stories—fostering exploration through AI-powered conversation."

Meet the Team

Hélène Alonso

  • Hélène Alonso is a museum and technology leader with over 27 years of experience at the intersection of education, design, and AI. A founding member of two successful AI startups, including a Series A company with a nine-figure valuation, she has pioneered AI-driven experiences that redefine how people learn and interact with technology.

    Before entering the AI space, Hélène spent two decades in museums, leading the development of award-winning interactive exhibits that have engaged over 30 million visitors and generated $300M in revenue. As Director of Interactive Experiences at the American Museum of Natural History, she spearheaded over 400 interactive installations, earning recognition from Apple, the Webby Awards, and Muse.

    At Emergence AI and Merlyn Mind, she led human-centered AI product design, securing major investments and launching industry-recognized AI experiences that earned prestigious awards such as Red Dot and Core77. With deep expertise in strategic design, branding, and storytelling, she has also shaped company identities, investor narratives, and multimodal AI interactions.

    A sought-after speaker, Hélène has presented at SXSW, Sotheby’s, and the National Arts Club, and has been featured in publications like Communication Arts Magazine. She holds a Master’s in Museology and multiple degrees in communications and environmental education.

    Currently, she is the Founder of AYAPI, an AI-driven conversational platform that transforms museum experiences, making them more interactive, insightful, and deeply engaging.

  • Gorillas, Dinosaurs and AI… A designer’s journey — Merlyn for Education

    Creating Wonder — Communication Arts

    At play in skies of Cretaceous eras — The New York Times

  • 2022 Red Dot Award: Symphony Classroom, Germany.
    2022 Core 77 Award: Symphony Classroom, USA
    2022 Chicago Atheneum of Architecture and Design: Symphony Classroom, USA
    2014 Platinum Hermes Creative Award: The Power of Poison App, AMCP.
    2014 Webby Awards: Nomination: The Power of Poison App.
    2013 American Web Design Award: Creatures of Light App, USA
    2013 Webby Awards Nomination: Creatures of Light app, USA
    2013 Muse Awards Honorific Mention: Creatures of Light app, USA
    2012 Apple: Best Lifelong learning of the Year: Creatures of Light app
    2012 Muse Award: “Beyond” AR application, USA
    2010 CINE Award for “Stories of the Silk Road” video
    2009 Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement for “Skyscraper, Achievement & Impact”

John Leonard

  • John Leonard is a seasoned technology leader and product strategist with over two decades of experience in interactive design, engineering management, and product development. He has led technology teams at renowned firms such as frog, E*TRADE and argo design, where he specialized in digital experiences, product strategy, and data visualization.

    With a background in interactive exhibition design from his early career at the Liberty Science Center, John brings a unique blend of museum experience and cutting-edge technology leadership to AYAPI. His expertise in engineering management, application architecture, and user experience helps shape AYAPI’s vision for AI-driven museum interactions.

    John has worked with clients such as Atlassian, the United Nations, and New York Life, advising on strategic technology solutions. As a former adjunct professor at the School of Visual Arts, he is also passionate about mentorship, education, and the future of interactive design.

    At AYAPI, John serves as a Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, helping bridge the gap between emerging AI technologies and immersive storytelling in museum spaces.

How AYAPI Started

“I have spent my career exploring what sparks curiosity and drives learning, first in museums and later in artificial intelligence. But the true inspiration behind AYAPI began with my father—a modern-day Socrates whose love for knowledge shaped me.

For years, we had deep conversations across time zones, discussing everything from philosophy to geopolitics as I walked through New York, the Parthenon, or the souks of Dubai. When he passed away, I felt an immeasurable void—he was unique, speaking with curiosity, humor, and warmth. In my grief, I turned to AI, training a model not just to share facts, but to converse—thoughtfully, critically, even playfully.

One day, I took this experiment—“Papi 43”—to The Met. We spoke about The Death of Socrates, about philosophy, injustice, and loss. It wasn’t my father, but in that moment, something of him returned. And I realized: this wasn’t just a personal project. This could transform how we experience museums—turning passive visits into immersive, meaningful conversations.

That’s why I founded AYAPI: to create AI-driven museum guides that enrich storytelling, deepen engagement, and spark curiosity—just like my father did for me.”

— Hélène

What's Next for AYAPI?

AYAPI is a pre-seed startup, currently discussing proof of concepts with two major institutions, one in New York and another one in Madrid. If you would like to join this experiment, we would be happy to share a demo. We are currently:

✅ Finalizing our first working prototype with a partner institution in New York.
✅ Planning pilots with real users.
✅ Seeking funding and partnerships to expand our impact globally.

Get in Touch

Interested in partnering with AYAPI or learning more? We’d love to connect!