63. When AI Mediates Human Conflict with Vanessa Carson - UKAI Women in AI Special

What if AI could prevent conflicts from escalating and create an auditable record of what really happens when they do? This episode explores a new category of AI focused not on productivity, but on structuring high-stakes human communication. Vanessa Carson, founder of Defuze and Thea Labs, is building systems designed to mediate difficult conversations and preserve “narrative integrity”, creating transparent, evidence-grade records of communication in environments where trust, consent, and accountability matter.A former film professional who moved into tech delivery in highly regulated industries, Carson built Defuze after noticing recurring breakdowns in human communication during complex, high-risk interactions. The company’s first product, a co-parenting platform, acts as a proving ground for broader applications across schools, the judicial system, and enterprises. Her work highlights an emerging opportunity in AI: infrastructure that reduces conflict, protects vulnerable users, and provides organisations with reliable, auditable communication trails.AI is our Business.UKAI is the Trade Association for AI businesses across the UK. Join us, ukai.co