Fractal Analytics Humanizes AI: Acquires Behavioral Architecture Firm Final Mile

NEW YORK, March 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Global leader in human-centered AI adds the 'nudge' theory to its toolkit

Fractal Analytics (http://www.fractalanalytics.com), a global leader in artificial intelligence and analytics that powers decision-making in Fortune 500 companies, today announced the acquisition of Final Mile. Final Mile is a pioneer in driving behavior change, integrating cognitive neuroscience, behavioral economics and design to solve critical business and developmental sector challenges.

"While artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of products and services we consume, AI needs to incorporate better understanding of human behavior to improve human-machine interface, simplify information consumption and drive lasting behavior change," said Srikanth Velamakanni, Group Chief Executive & Executive Vice-Chairman, Fractal Analytics. "With this acquisition, we are bringing data science and behavioral science together to drive better outcomes for our clients."

Founded in 2008, Final Mile is a leader in the application of behavioral sciences to understand decision-making and influence consumer and social behavior. Final Mile has helped solve behavioral challenges in financial services, healthcare, consumer goods, e-commerce, and developmental and nonprofit sectors. An award-winning firm, Final Mile uses innovative research methods like games and simulations to truly understand the non-conscious reasons behind what people do and develop interventions to drive sustainable behavior change.

"The human decision-making process is complex," said Biju Dominic, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Final Mile. "To fundamentally address a challenge or shape the decision-making process, one must identify and understand what truly drives behavior. Organizations can achieve better outcomes by applying learnings from cognitive neuroscience, behavioral economics and design. That is our focus."

At the cornerstone of Final Mile's approach is the 'nudge' theory created by Nobel prize-winning economist Richard Thaler. The nudge theory suggests that changes in a consumer's 'choice architecture' - the environment in which people make choices - can positively influence their decision-making and lead to better choices.

Explained Srikanth: "Final Mile's track record in influencing human behavior through behavioral science, combined with Fractal's data science and AI capabilities, will help our clients drive lasting behavior change internally and externally."

Added Biju: "Data and AI can dramatically improve our understanding of human behavior, inform better hypotheses, and complement our work with clients in achieving sustained behavior change. We see extraordinary opportunities to deliver greater value to our clients in partnering with Fractal over the long term."

The acquisition comes on the heels of a successful partnership between the companies that began in 2017.

For more information about Fractal Analytics please visit, http://www.fractalanalytics.com.

About Fractal Analytics 

Founded in 2000, Fractal Analytics is a strategic analytics partner to the most admired Fortune 500 companies globally and helps them power every human decision in the enterprise by bringing analytics & AI to the decision-making process.

Fractal has more than 1,200 employees spread across 14 global locations including the United States, UK and India. Fractal has been featured as a leader in the Customer Analytics Service Providers Wave™ 2017 by Forrester Research, a Great Place to Work by The Economic Times in partnership with the Great Place to Work® Institute, and recognized as a 'Cool Vendor' and a 'Vendor to Watch' by Gartner.

About Final Mile

Founded in 2008, Final Mile Consulting pioneers the practice of Behavior Architecture - the application of behavioral sciences to understand decision making and influence consumer and social behavior. Final Mile has worked on behavioral challenges in financial services, healthcare, consumer goods, ecommerce, safety and sanitation. They have offices in United States and India and engagements across the globe.