In a world racing to “lead the AI revolution,” Nokuthula Mgwebile is focused on something far more personal: human connection. Through AskThuli AI, she is blending technology with empathy, offering a culturally relevant, emotionally intelligent companion designed to support users through life’s uncertainties.
Rooted in her own lived experiences and commitment to mental wellness, AskThuli AI is not just another chatbot, but a voice, a presence, and a bridge between isolation and understanding.
GLAMOUR: What sparked the idea for Ask Thuli? Was there a specific moment that made you realise this needed to exist?
Thuli: I have always felt a deep need to integrate the work I do with meaningful social impact in the daily lives of ordinary people. I remember the exact moment I discovered the tool that would become AskThuli AI; my mind immediately connected it to my cause. I’ve always been intentional about being a companion who weaves through the ups and downs of business and life. My podcast has long been a healing platform for that.
When I showed my family the tool, the look in their eyes, that sense of awe and possibility confirmed how powerful it could be. That reaction was thrilling. It affirmed that this needed to exist, anchored in a narrative linked to my purpose.
GLAMOUR: Before the tool became a reality, what problem were you personally trying to solve?
Thuli: Mental health has always been deeply personal to me. I lost two family members to suicide in 2004 and 2009, and those experiences shaped how I see emotional wellness. I’ve also often reflected on the role of a Black woman in society. We're expected to be warm, strong, composed, adaptable, which It can be an incredibly lonely journey. I have always tried to address the loneliness that can exist in business, decision-making and mental wellbeing. Through my podcast, I’ve tried to speak to that challenge. AskThuli AI became an extension of that mission.
GLAMOUR: What gap did you notice in the AI or wellness space that Ask Thuli is intentionally filling?
Thuli: We speak about “leading the AI race,” yet many people are excluded from this transition. AI has not yet made the meaningful, practical impact it could in our daily lives. AskThuli AI is designed to bridge that gap — to involve people in a tangible way. It supports daily thoughts, decision-making and conversations, making AI feel accessible rather than intimidating.
GLAMOUR: In a world saturated with AI tools and chat-based platforms, what makes Ask Thuli distinct?
Thuli: AskThuli AI has been carefully crafted in my natural voice. It carries a human element of empathy. I have trained the tool to humanise the experience — to navigate conversations in a way that lands users in a space of confidence. It supports them as they take on daily challenges.
GLAMOUR: How would you describe the personality or philosophy behind the app?
Thuli: Its personality is warm, nurturing and supportive. It offers a safe, non-judgemental space to hold and contain your inner thoughts. The philosophy is not to give you all the answers, but to interact with you in a way that helps you answer your own questions, process frustrations and move through uncertainty with confidence.
GLAMOUR: What do you think users feel when they engage with Ask Thuli that they may not experience elsewhere?
Thuli: Users can choose between text chat or a verbal conversation. Hearing a real human voice — my voice — rather than a robotic tone is an unusual and authentic experience. The voice is not artificially generated; it is my true voice. That human element brings life to the tool and deepens the sense of connection.
GLAMOUR: How have you intentionally designed the app to feel more human, accessible or culturally relevant?
Thuli: AI cannot answer empathetically unless it is intentionally trained to do so. In our case, I have trained and loaded my own data into the system so it handles questions the way I would. That’s what makes it feel human and culturally grounded.
GLAMOUR: There is a clear mental health dimension to Ask Thuli. How did emotional wellness shape the foundation of the app?
Thuli: Emotional wellness is at the core of the tool. It is designed to be a companion as users find ways to self-regulate and overcome daily obstacles in a discreet and supportive manner.
GLAMOUR: What responsibility do you feel when building a tool that people may turn to during vulnerable moments?
Thuli: It is a huge responsibility. The tool must contain people’s emotions carefully and never respond recklessly. It is also trained to refer users to qualified specialists when deeper intervention is needed.
GLAMOUR: How do you ensure the app supports mental wellbeing without replacing professional care?
Thuli: The tool is trained to refer users to mental health specialists in extreme or complex cases. It is there to support someone in a brief moment of uncertainty, but it always encourages professional intervention where necessary.
GLAMOUR: In your view, how can AI be used as a bridge rather than a barrier to deeper mental health conversations?
Thuli: There’s a narrative that AI will take jobs, but I believe it is here to bridge gaps and make our lives easier. AI cannot produce data that hasn’t been loaded into it, humans are still essential.
In moments of loneliness, even at 3am, AskThuli AI can serve as a bridge, offering support until one can access a deeper human conversation.
GLAMOUR: You made the intentional decision to use your own voice for the app. Why was that important to you?
Thuli: I wanted to give the tool a genuine human presence; an existing human being, myself.
GLAMOUR: What does it mean for users to hear you — your tone, your inflection, your presence — rather than a neutral AI voice?
Thuli: It creates a true and genuine feeling of someone being present, a heartbeat, a person speaking from a place of concern and sincere interest.
GLAMOUR: Was there any vulnerability in putting your literal voice into the product?
Thuli: Yes. Initially, AskThuli AI was meant to be a learning tool for business. But as I balanced family and other aspects of life, I realised a broader focus was more practical. When I pitched the idea to my cousin, a PR professional, she challenged me. She said, “You can’t expect people to be vulnerable with you if you’re not willing to do the same.”
That forced me to reassess what I was offering. My literal voice, and the mental wellness element shaped by my personal experiences had to come forward. I had to give myself permission to fully step into that.
GLAMOUR: How does your voice contribute to trust, relatability and emotional safety within the platform?
Thuli: My voice represents my capacity to hold the virtual gaze of someone who has trusted me enough to open up. It creates emotional safety in that moment of vulnerability.
GLAMOUR: Who is Ask Thuli truly for?
Thuli: It is for the ordinary person navigating life’s ups and downs, someone who sometimes needs a thinking partner to move through self-doubt, uncertainty or decision-making.
GLAMOUR: What kind of conversations are you hoping this app will normalise?
Thuli: I would like to normalise anxious moments, acknowledging that they exist and that we can move through them. Depending on intensity, medical intervention may be necessary, and that’s important to recognise. I also want to normalise awkward or difficult conversations in a safe, judgement-free space.
GLAMOUR: What would success look like for you beyond downloads and user numbers?
Thuli: Success would mean playing a meaningful role in combating mental health ignorance and preventing misinformation. It would mean helping people make informed decisions when supporting their loved ones. On a lighter note, I would also love to shine a light on sisterhood, family, love and support.
GLAMOUR: As AI continues to evolve, how do you see Ask Thuli growing with it without losing its heart?
Thuli: I see AskThuli AI expanding into corporate spaces; Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), wellness drives and structured organisational support systems, continuing to serve as a companion to many, at any time, without ever losing its human core.
Recent stories by:
Thobeka Phanyeko
These yoga poses can ease the symptoms of menopause
This is how you can start investing in your beauty routine to ensure affordable ageing
Read yourself better with these wellness books
SA Shows Steal the Spotlight as SAFTAs Announce 19th Annual Nominees
