At Empathy Platform, we believe that search should do more than just retrieve results—it should understand intent, spark discovery, and drive innovation. Today, we’re excited to unveil how we've applied the DeepSeek R1 AI reasoning model to improve the search experience across diverse sectors. As its first practical example, our new Related Prompts feature demonstrates how advanced AI reasoning can deliver deeper insights and more intuitive results. This is only the beginning of a broader vision that unites our offerings under the transformative umbrella of Empathy.ai.

Sophisticated prompt generation for unmatched value

Historically, the Empathy Platform has offered powerful tools like Facets & Filters, Related Tags, Next Queries, Equalize, and Attribute Ranking management tools, among many others, to fine-tune search results. While these features have long delivered value, the need for a more dynamic and intuitive search mechanism inspired the development of our new Related Prompts technology powered by DeepSeek R1.

Leveraging advanced reinforcement learning and carefully curated cold-start data, this state-of-the-art model generates intelligent prompts that enhance clarity and precision in every interaction. The result is a search experience that not only addresses immediate individuals’ needs but also enriches every step of the discovery journey.

Bridging Query and Intent with the EmpathyAI Router

Effective search begins with understanding what a user truly wants. The EmpathyAI Router is a specialized service that interprets each query, determines its context, and then decides which actions are needed to fulfill the user’s intent. By integrating vector-based matching—partly inspired by the Healthy Eating with Ocado demo (opens new window)—our platform translates a shopper’s query into a precisely generated prompt, using what we call a “Chain-of-Thought” mechanism. This goes beyond simple keyword matching, deeply assessing whether the query should be broadened or narrowed so that the final results are both relevant and actionable.

Once the Router identifies the necessary actions (for example, returning an answer or showing products), the Protocol component carries them out by routing requests to the right services—such as /products or /chat—and sending back the response. The frontend can then display these responses through dynamic components, like a typing effect for answers or a product carousel. This architecture ensures a smooth, intuitive experience that aligns with each user’s true intent.

Ocado dieting assistant demo: showcasing GenAI-driven diet recommendations

A standout example of the practical application of these EmpathyAI router capabilities is the aforementioned Healthy Eating with Ocado demo (opens new window), presented by our Empathy.ai division. In this demo, a GenAI-powered experience transforms the way shoppers explore healthier eating options. Instead of interacting with a rigid search engine, individuals engage in a natural, conversational dialogue where questions like “Which cereals are high in fiber?” prompt tailored diet tips and product suggestions.

The experience feels less like a mechanical response and more like a conversation with a trusted nutrition expert, guiding shoppers through a journey of personalized discovery. This narrative-driven interaction not only highlights product recommendations but also exemplifies how our advanced search solutions can adapt to diverse user needs. This approach will eventually extend from e-commerce to a multitude of applications across our portfolio.

Our current infrastructure generates Related Prompts in the cloud under a robust, AI-controlled process that ensures strict data governance. Looking forward, we are enhancing this setup by integrating dedicated physical GPU clusters at our headquarters, complementing a decentralized network of cloud-based GPUs. This hybrid approach offers the best of both worlds: on-premises resources for critical, high-performance computations combined with the scalability and flexibility of cloud infrastructure. Such a strategy not only accelerates processing times but also ensures that our innovation remains agile, secure, and capable of handling ever-evolving user demands.

Embracing a new paradigm with Empathy.ai

DeepSeek R1 is a key component of the broader Empathy.ai initiative—a transformative leap in Empathy Holdings' mission to create innovative, human-centered technologies. Empathy.ai represents a unifying layer of intelligence that integrates seamlessly with all Empathy Holdings brands, from Empathy Platform to Visible Privacy, Apisearch, and Motive.co. Built on ethical AI principles Empathy.ai is designed with Privacy-by-design at its core, adhering to stringent regulations and ensuring that every development respects user data and transparency.

This new paradigm emphasizes reasoning and human participation over mere generative outputs. By focusing on Artificial Wisdom and Artificial Curiosity, our systems are crafted to make informed, contextually aware decisions while continuously learning and adapting. This means that whether you’re engaging in product discovery or exploring rich content, the search experience is not only accurate and reliable but also deeply intuitive and engaging. Empathy.ai redefines search by uniting product and content discovery, enabling users to access both seamlessly and with a level of precision that traditional methods simply cannot match.

A glimpse into the future

These latest enhancements are just the beginning. As we continue to refine DeepSeek R1 and integrate it into our evolving Empathy.ai ecosystem, our vision is to create a search environment that transcends conventional boundaries. With our focus on global integration and inner-sourcing, our advancements will enrich every Empathy Holdings offering, fostering collaboration and driving innovation across the board.

The future of search is one where technology and humanity converge—where ethical, privacy-first AI supports not only product discovery but also meaningful content exploration. At Empathy Platform, we are proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, shaping a future where intelligent search is powered by a deep understanding of human intent, driven by curiosity, and grounded in the principles of Artificial Wisdom.

Stay tuned as we continue to roll out these innovations and transform the way users interact with search. Together, we’re creating smarter, more connected solutions—one intelligent search at a time.