Building something with AI that my grandma would love
Nov 17, 2025
5 min
What if AI can feel less like a tool and more like an assistant?
It’s a question I’ve caught myself asking more often than I’d like to admit. Today, I had the chance to hear a compelling answer. I sat down with Philip Bearfuss, the co-founder of Da Care, to explore how the team is rethinking what AI can mean in our daily lives.
The first thing that stuck with me was the purpose of the organization. The idea was not just to make another AI, as Philip said:
'We wanted to help others lead a peaceful and calmer life.'
That vision was not shaped by Silicon Valley trends but by something far more personal. Philip’s hospitality and UX background and experience across multiple industries gave him the drive to build something truly for everyone. Like any beginning, it was not easy. Early on, the team realized that 95% of AI’s potential was being left untapped. Their goal quickly became clear. To unlock all of it. From that mission, Da Care was born.
Current technological advancements often leave us feeling wanting more. Either when it comes to their answers, data protection, or simply the features that they offer. Could this new AI be any different?
Phillip shared with me the key element that separates their intelligence from the rest.
'It is all in our name – Da Care. How can we take care of people in the most efficient way?'
For Da Care, building responsibly is non-negotiable. Instead of receiving a reactive answer, wouldn’t it be better to have a proactive conversation? Important questions should be answered by undeniable, trusted, and proven sources, which Philip and the developers are making happen. Altogether, Da Care is building the mother, the friend, the assistant, but not the romantic companion, that will be there for you through every stage of your life.
A key topic that Philip and I discussed was the usability of the AI for older people. He touched upon a very interesting topic:
'If AI is becoming a simpler user experience, and is there to help you, who are the people around us that require the most help?'
We have all had those moments when parents or grandparents ask for help with their phones. Too often, it is their children who become technical support. AI can step into that role instead and act as an assistant for the elderly, offering a simple-to-use experience, guidance, and reminders when they need it most.
The product was also shaped by the young developer team, led by Aram. Philip noted the benefit right away:
'With a young team, everything feels possible.'
What mattered most, though, was making the experience natural. As he put it:
'We want Da Care to feel like water - natural, soft, and essential.'
Building Da Care’s AI was never just about intelligence, but about simplicity and usability. The lead developer, Aram, said that creating a simpler experience means working to make interactions seamless, whether uploading files, images, or voice recordings, while carefully researching. Aram takes pride in subtle organizational features that enhance the experience. When I asked about the most memorable moment during development, he mentioned the first successful AI response, a moment of pure celebration that perfectly captured the excitement of bringing the project to life.
Apart from the technological side of things, people always come first. Philip explained that:
'This is only one tool in our growing lineup of products designed to help people.'
For Da Care, the focus has always been on building something users genuinely enjoy and feel safe using. That commitment is also why the company has resisted the investor-driven race. Self-funded and independent, Da Care aims to grow with its community rather than financial targets.
Looking ahead, Da Care is designed not to direct users but to support them, listening, advising, and nurturing along the way. Philip summed it up simply:
'An AI should be there to help you, not direct you.'
We are most excited to see others experience the product, and next month, that moment arrives as we launch our beta. Just like a superhero, Da Care aims to make you feel safe with every interaction. If all goes as hoped, it might even become the first AI your grandma recommends to you.