About Living Intelligence
Intelligence for living, that lives.
Living Intelligence is an independent technology studio based in San Francisco, founded by engineer and classical musician Álex Filipe Santos. We develop software and hardware that manage the complexity of everyday life, giving people greater freedom and more room for their work and creativity.
A human starting point
Our work begins with problems close to home. Files become scattered across different services, and connected devices seldom work well together. The spaces we inhabit are often harder to interact with than they need to be.
Behind these problems lies a larger question: what should technology manage on our behalf, and what should remain ours to decide?
We believe people should be able to delegate routine tasks while retaining authority over the decisions that matter. A well-designed intelligent system is transparent about its actions and responsive to correction, leaving room for a change of mind. Trust develops when people can allow a system to operate while knowing how to intervene when needed.
Independence, built in
The choice of a device or service should leave room for other choices. We build systems that operate across providers and keep people's data under their own control. These systems are also designed to make the devices people already own more useful together.
This principle underlies our commitment to local-first design and open-source foundations, with privacy as a core priority. It also informs our approach to longevity: useful technology should continue to function as the world around it changes.
What we are building
Aetherloom applies this approach to file management. Currently in development, it is a native macOS application built on an open-source synchronization engine, designed to keep folders aligned between cloud services and storage held locally or on a network. Its purpose is straightforward: to let people use the services that suit them while keeping readable copies of their data in locations they control.
Home Intelligence extends the same approach to the home. We are developing local-first home automation and custom hardware, supported by interfaces organized around each room. The result brings lighting and sound together with a home's other connected devices in one coherent experience. Built on Home Assistant, the system begins with the layout and daily life of each household, making everyday control approachable for everyone who shares the space.
These projects represent the first steps in a broader direction: intelligence that takes initiative while remaining accountable, and that grows alongside the people it serves. We measure progress by what becomes easier and what people gain the freedom to do. Equally important is how well a system earns its place in everyday life.
Contact
For inquiries and collaboration, please contact us at hello@livingintelligence.xyz.
Our open-source work is available on GitHub.
Our legal name is Living Intelligence LLC, and our official website is livingintelligence.xyz.