For most people, speech is effortless-a transparent bridge between thought and expression. But for millions living with stuttering and other communication disorders, every sentence is an obstacle course. Viraj Kulkarni, Founder and CEO of Iyaso, has made it his mission to change that through advanced artificial intelligence. His journey spans three startups, 20+ research publications, and a sabbatical from a PhD in quantum computing and machine learning-all converging on one question: How can technology help people speak with more confidence, clarity, and control?

Iyaso is the culmination of a decade spent building AI systems for healthcare. The company develops AI-powered speech therapy applications that support people with stuttering and a range of communication challenges. These tools analyze speech patterns in real time, provide tailored exercises, and can integrate with professional therapy, offering a level of accessibility and consistency that the current system struggles to provide. “Speech is deeply human,” he says. “If we can use AI to help people express themselves without fear, that’s one of the most meaningful applications of technology I can imagine.”