[PALO ALTO, CA, 3.15.2023] KAI today announced its launch and formation of a non-profit 501c3 organization based in the heart of Silicon Valley, initiated by Faraj Aalaei, Shahin Hedayat, Hossein Moiin, and others, all of whom are well-renowned technologist and business leaders in high technology industries. Mr. Aalaei, Mr. Hedayat, and Mr. Moiin are Iranian American immigrants with deep roots in Silicon Valley. They formed KAI and tapped world-renowned scientists, engineers, and leaders within the Iranian diaspora to build technology solutions to democratize access to information that will help Iranians safely and securely build a secular democracy of their choosing.

2“In the wake of an oppressive regime that has limited the ability of Iranians to congregate, communicate and plan freely, our mission is to provide the technical tools and services to help Iranians safely and securely build a secular democracy of their choosing,” says Faraj Aalaei, Co-founder & director of KAI.  “We will also partner, sponsor, and work with like-minded organizations working in different capacities with the same ultimate goal of helping Iranians build a secular democracy.” 

KAI is a transparent, inclusive, unbiased, and non-partisan organization whose members are volunteers who will not take governmental positions within Iran and have pledged not to interfere or meddle with the secular democracy Iranians choose to build for their country. 

“Gone are the days of oppression through isolation. The future is about decentralized cooperation across global teams in the quest for democracy, personal autonomy, and dignity powered by human-centered technology. Our mission at KAI is to do exactly that,” says Bahar Ansari, Esq.,  KAI Board member, and its spokesperson.

KAI’s existential vision is to arm the people of Iran with secure access to information and data— independent of their government’s influence, enabling them to achieve their democratic aspirations. By accessing safe platforms and communication tools that facilitate problem-solving, consensus building, content creation, and distribution while ultimately protecting privacy, people will be able to determine the type of society they want to build and the governments they want to form.

In developing and studying methodologies of transformation, it can neither occur nor can one gain consensus without the organic bottom-up participation of people residing in Iran to have the ability to freely hold dialogues within Iran and with the outside world. The right communication tools will make this possible.

KAI will not accept financial support from any government. KAI’s financial support comes from generous contributions from individuals and NGOs so long as the NGO’s mission and vision are well aligned with KAI’s. 

Concurrently, through partnering with like-minded organizations, KAI, and its partners will work together to promote and sponsor conferences that facilitate discussions about achieving a secular democracy in Iran. Through KAI’s collaborations, the output of these partnerships will be publicly shared and promoted to help further the organization’s mission. 

On March 25th & 26th, 2023, KAI will join the Iranian Studies Program at Stanford University and Gozar, an independent expert collective to organize Gozar.org, a conference, entitled “Dialogues on Transition to Secular Democracy,” that will be held at Stanford University. The conference will explore the challenges and pathways of transitioning from the Islamic Republic regime in Iran to a secular democracy. Inspired by the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, the Conference will convene a diverse set of thought leaders, experts, and civil society activists to support dialogue and discourse around the establishment of a new democratic system of governance in Iran. 

About KAI
KAI is a non-profit 501c3 organization based in the heart of Silicon Valley. The members, builders, and leaders of KAI are volunteers who are best-in-breed scientists, engineers, and business leaders based in the diaspora. KAI is an inclusive, independent, and transparent organization free from influence by any political party, government entity, or ideology. KAI does not endorse, promote or demonize individuals or groups. KAI’s only goal is to build tools and services that help Iranians safely build an inclusive, secular democracy of their choosing through a free and safe platform that creates an ecosystem that facilitates communication, consensus building, content creation, and distribution while protecting privacy. KAI will not accept financial support from any government. KAI’s financial support comes from generous contributions from individuals and NGOs as long as the NGO’s mission is well aligned with KAI’s. For more information visit: https://kaiforiran.org/