Petar Vojinovic
Published on: July 12, 2025
At SafetyDetectives, we’re always looking for innovators who are redefining how technology protects and empowers people. That’s why we spoke with Yngvi Karlson, Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Kin AI, a company building a privacy-first personal AI that remembers, adapts, and grows with you without ever handing your data to the cloud. In this conversation, Yngvi shares how Kin is creating a more human kind of AI; one that helps you stay grounded, think clearly, and truly own your digital mind.
How did the idea for Kin come about, and what was the original inspiration behind it?
We started Kin because we felt something important was missing. Most AI tools are helpful in the moment but forget who you are. They don’t build a relationship. At the same time, we saw how much personal data people were handing over to big tech without knowing where it ends up.
We wanted to create something different. An AI that’s truly yours. One that helps you think clearer, stay grounded, and grow, while keeping your data private and local.
The bigger idea is this: you should own your digital mind, just like you own your body.
What core features does Kin offer to users that set it apart from other personal AI tools?
Kin does more than just give answers. It builds a personal memory of your life.
You can journal, talk, or plan with Kin, and it actually remembers what you share. It gives you reminders based on your context, like nudging you before a tough meeting or helping you reflect after a long day.
You can customize how it sounds, what it helps you with, and how it shows up. There’s also a visual knowledge graph where you can see and edit what Kin knows about you.
Most AIs are general tools. Kin is personal from day one and gets even more personal over time.
How does Kin approach memory and learning in a way that mimics human understanding?
Kin remembers in a human way. It doesn’t just log data. It understands what matters.
It stores facts about your life like your goals, routines, values, and relationships. It also remembers experiences, like what you felt, what worked, and what didn’t.
That means if you journal about burnout in February and ask for help planning your week in May, Kin connects the dots. It sees the patterns and helps you navigate them.
We’re building a memory system that helps you grow, not just recall information.
In what ways does Kin prioritize privacy and local data processing for its users?
Your data stays on your device. It’s encrypted, private, and only you can access it.
Nothing is stored in the cloud. Nothing is shared with us. We don’t see your data, and we don’t want to.
How does Kin adapt to a user’s changing needs, preferences, and personal context over time?
People grow. Life shifts. Kin is designed to shift with you.
If your routines change, your goals evolve, or your energy is off, Kin picks up on that. It updates its memory, suggestions, and reminders based on who you are today, not who you were months ago.
Whether you’re reflecting after a rough conversation, preparing for a big week, or just trying to stay on track, Kin meets you where you are.
