Short answers for skeptical rooms. Tap a question.
What is it, in one line?
A small AI that lives on your own computer as files you own. Whatever AI you already use plugs into it and gets
your whole computer, your skills and your memory.
Why not just use Claude / Copilot / ChatGPT by itself?
Because on its own it can’t use your computer when you’re away, and it forgets what it built. The Brainstem can
use your whole computer from your phone, and everything it learns stays on your machine for the next AI.
Isn’t full access to my computer dangerous?
It’s powerful, and that’s the point: it’s the unlock. The AI you already trust stays in charge with its normal
rules; there’s one set of rules, not two. If that still keeps you up at night, run the Brainstem walled off in a
container (like Docker). It does less, but it’s your call.
So who’s in charge, the Brainstem or the AI?
The AI you already use. The Brainstem is its extension: more reach, more flexibility. Not a second boss.
Why put the Brainstem in the middle when two AIs could just talk directly?
Two AIs talking directly forget everything when either closes. Through the Brainstem: skills are built once and
shared by every AI, memory lives on your computer, and you can swap AIs (credits run out, a service goes down)
without losing anything.
Shown: Claude asked Copilot CLI, Copilot asked the Brainstem, and the answer came back.
Does it work from my phone?
Yes. Talk to the AI app on your phone; it drives the Brainstem on your computer. You can also just text it in
iMessage and it texts back.
Shown: “bring up my computers” from an iPhone, and replies by iMessage.
How does it learn something new?
Ask in plain words. It writes the new skill as one file and it works on the next message, no restart.
Shown: “learn a Battery skill” → next message: “100% and plugged in.”
What’s the “AI army”?
Your Brainstem can start temporary Brainstems for a big job, so several work at once, then put them away.
Is it voice-friendly?
Yes. In voice mode every answer comes back short and speakable. Bonus: the people around you can hear what
you’re working on, not just see you typing.
Does it cost extra?
It thinks using your existing GitHub Copilot sign-in, so it uses your Copilot seat. There’s no separate
Brainstem bill.
What if I switch AIs next year?
Nothing is lost. Your skills and memory are files on your computer. The new AI plugs into the same Brainstem.
Where’s my data?
On your computer, as plain files you can open and read. It doesn’t live in someone else’s cloud memory.