By: Natalie Johnson
Cristian Cibils Bernardes has long been drawn to the role of technology in storytelling. While studying Symbolic Systems at Stanford, he began asking questions that would ultimately shape his entrepreneurial path. What role does memory play in shaping identity? How can AI support the way people understand their lives and legacies? And importantly, how do we preserve the stories that matter before they disappear?
Cibils Bernardes explored these questions through a podcast where he interviewed Stanford professors, AI researchers, venture capitalists, and poets. The aim was to understand how artificial intelligence might impact not only economies but also the human spirit. “What if we could make sure the questions that should be asked are always being asked, even if life doesn’t make it easy to get them answered?” he says. Those interrogations laid the groundwork for Autograph, whose mission is simple in concept but ambitious in execution: to honor and preserve human memory through weekly AI-powered phone interviews that document a person’s life in their own words.
AI That Feels Like a Conversation, Not a Log
Autograph users receive weekly calls from Walter, a digital biographer designed to sound like a compassionate interviewer. The experience is familiar and simple. “It’s not that different from our conversation right now,” says Cibils Bernardes. Walter starts at the beginning: childhood, family, first jobs, and formative events. Over time, it becomes a dynamic journal of the user’s life in their own words.
Behind the scenes, each call is transcribed and stored in a private web portal. The platform maps out people, places, and moments like a personal Wikipedia. Users can revisit memories, search by topic, or even share individual entries with loved ones. But the real ambition lies in building a digital replica of each user—their “autograph”—that sounds like them, understands their life, and can someday offer perspective to future generations. “Imagine having a big decision to make and hearing what your grandfather might have said about it,” Cibils Bernardes says. “Even if he’s no longer around, his story can still support you.”
Authentic Memory, Aspirational Legacy
At the heart of Cibils Bernardes’ work is a belief that memory should be preserved honestly but also with care. “If we’re not honest about the version of ourselves that we are, we’re lying,” he says. “But we also get to ask: what version of ourselves do we want to be remembered as?” Autograph hold space for both. The platform allows users to record vulnerable truths alongside aspirational hopes, crafting a portrait of identity that evolves over time. This duality of truth and aspiration is what makes Autograph more than a memory tool. It becomes a framework for legacy. “You’re the main character in your story,” Cibils Bernardes says. “You’re shaping your own myth, whether you’re conscious of it or not.”
Reclaiming Connection in a Transactional Age
Cibils Bernardes sees Autograph as a response to a broader crisis of disconnection. “There’s a loneliness that comes from living in professional, transactional cultures,” he says. “You are your résumé. Your friends are scattered across time zones. Everything takes coordination.” By contrast,Autograph gives users a sense of continuity and proximity. Through its evolving memory archive, it allows families to remain emotionally accessible across distance and generations.
Future applications of the technology include story time with great-grandparents, interactive biographies, and real-time support for users navigating personal crises. Cibils Bernardes describes it as an insurance policy for the mind, a way to preserve not just data, but meaning. As artificial intelligence continues to accelerate, Cibils Bernardes is clear on what matters most. “Every word we say is a vote for the future,” he says. “The stories we record, the perspectives we preserve. They’re not just for us. They’re a gift to the people who come after.”
Follow Cristian Cibils Bernardes on LinkedIn and X for more insights on how Autograph is helping people live more meaningful lives.
Disclaimer: The content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice.. Readers are encouraged to verify the details and seek professional counsel when making decisions based on the information presented.
