MiaKai AI, (pronounced Mee-ah K-eye) is a self-reflection technology utilizing artificial intelligence to merge the Moral Imagination Assistant (Mia) with και—the Greek word for and—symbolizing the co-intelligence that can occur when humans and AI collaborate to solve the moral issues of our time.
Overview
MiaKai AI, founded by Dr. Nathan C. Walker, uses human-trained artificial intelligence as a Moral Imagination Assistant (MIA) to guide individuals through ethical dilemmas and multiple points of view. In his book Cultivating Empathy: The Worth and Dignity of Every Person—Without Exception (Skinner House, 2016), Dr. Walker defines moral imagination as picturing oneself in a moral dilemma to see multiple perspectives.
As an educational technology, MiaKai AI fosters deeper reflection by helping teachers, parents, and learners seek to understand different perspectives, aware that understanding need not imply agreement. Moral imagination, a civic virtue, emerges when we extend empathy to those with whom we disagree—thus disrupting social scripts that magnify our divisions. By encouraging humans to draw upon their virtues and character strengths, MiaKai AI cultivates ethical empathy, empowering people to make meaning of ethical issues to counteract the demeaning rhetoric pervading private and public spaces.
The Symbolic Meaning
The name MiaKai combines MIA (Moral Imagination Assistant) with και, the Greek word for and. In classical Greek philosophy, και carries broader connotations of unity, continuity, and inclusiveness, reflecting its influence on contemporary studies of AI ethics. For MiaKai, the Greek sense of “and” remains central, emphasizing the synergy between humans and AI in fostering moral imagination.
In other cultures, “kai” also has meanings such as “food” in New Zealand English (borrowed from Māori) and “sea” in Hawaiian, highlighting its global linguistic diversity. While “maikai” does not appear in standard Hawaiian dictionaries, “maika‘i” (with a glottal stop before the final “i”) is a Hawaiian word meaning “good,” “fine,” or “excellent.” Related forms include ho‘omaika‘i (“to make good” or “to bless”), pōmaika‘i (“to be fortunate” or “blessed”), and loko maika‘i (“to feel and act benevolently”).
The name MiaKai AI intends to combine the Moral Imagination Assistant with the Greek expression of και to highlight the co-intelligence that arises when humans and AI collaborate to address today’s moral challenges. Recognizing that moral imagination is not a solitary pursuit, but rather a dynamic, shared process of reflection and insight, MiaKai AI invites us to explore multiple perspectives and engage empathetically with one another.
Project Insight
To address the complexities of online behavior and technology use, MiaKai AI introduces Project Insight, which Dr. Walker defines as a self-reflection technology. Within Project Insight, MiaKai operates as an Insight Assistant, helping users create personalized Insight Tiles—ethical frameworks for intentional decision-making and self-regulated use of technology. These tiles can be shared and woven into users’ Living Mosaics, evolving collections of their values that adapt over time. By guiding individuals toward deliberate online behavior and constructive digital engagement, Project Insight promotes human agency, self-efficacy, and a more responsible digital culture.
Proposed Trademark Identification of Services (Class 42)
MiaKai AI provides Software as a Service (SaaS) featuring non-downloadable software that uses artificial intelligence to generate educational scenarios, moral dilemmas, and interactive content focused on moral imagination, empathy development, and ethical decision-making. Intended for use by educators and individuals to foster critical thinking, self-reflection, and perspective-taking, it also offers customizable tools for creating and sharing personalized ethical frameworks—referred to as Insight Tiles—that form part of Living Mosaics, enabling intentional decision-making, self-regulated technology use, and quality digital engagement.
Style Guide
Marketing materials use the standard character mark “MiaKai AI” for clarity and consistency. When a special design is desired, the letters “a” are replaced with upside-down “v” shapes—MiʌKʌi ɅI—reflecting Dr. Walker’s personal handwriting. This stylized version visually reinforces the brand’s focus on creativity and moral exploration, while the standard character mark ensures broad recognizability and ease of use.
By uniting philosophical insights with practical technology, MiaKai AI creates transformative moral explorations to foster ethical reflection, empathy, and responsible digital engagement.
