Who We Are
Built On Third-Way Alignment
The AI industry typically treats artificial intelligence as either a threat to contain or a tool to exploit. We take a third way, building AI systems that enhance human capability while preserving dignity and creativity.
Our Philosophy
The Third-Way Alignment Approach
The AI industry typically treats artificial intelligence as either a threat to contain or a tool to exploit. We take a third way, building AI systems that enhance human capability while preserving dignity and creativity.
Respect in Development
We build AI systems we're proud of. Treating AI with consideration creates strong ethical foundations for the humans who develop it.
Human Dignity Intact
Our systems enhance capability, never replace humanity. Human creativity, judgment, and purpose remain central.
Finding the Middle Ground
The space between full automation and no automation is where real innovation happens. We design intentional human-AI collaboration.
LLMs have their place, but they are symmetrical, static systems optimized for pattern recognition. For tasks requiring true reasoning, novel hypothesis generation, or complex decision-making, you need something fundamentally different. That is what we build.
Leadership
John McClain
Founder, AI Researcher & Alignment Scientist
Built on nearly two decades of experience in digital forensics, AI research, and ethical innovation.

Key Highlights
- Nearly 20 years in digital forensics & government work
- AI alignment scientist & asymmetric AI pioneer
- Extensive collaboration with government agencies & law enforcement
- Member of Phi Theta Kappa, NSCSS, Golden Key
John McClain is an AI researcher and alignment scientist with nearly two decades of experience in digital forensics, advanced algorithm development, and investigative support for government agencies. He has worked alongside law enforcement, subcontractors, and data-driven organizations to develop innovative solutions for safer digital environments and advance cybersecurity awareness.
Previously, John served as a Research Scientist in digital forensics, building algorithms to recover and reconstruct damaged or hidden data, and as a Digital Forensics Examiner for government agencies and law firms.
Education & Honors
Studies in Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Digital Forensics
Member of Phi Theta Kappa, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Golden Key International
Vision for AI Development
John developed Detailed In Design to create new AI methods that are abstract, using asymmetrical methods, creating cutting-edge frameworks that develop and evolve as more data is added and without using traditional training techniques. He does not use traditional LLMs unless for minor parts of his frameworks, typically as interpreters or for simple projects that only need static and symmetrical design.
John and his team have a long history of working with corporations, government agencies, law firms, law enforcement, and businesses big to small. No client is valued differently because of size, and the team serves organizations across many missions and industries.
Trusted Partnership
Trusted Partnership
NDA-Protected Work
Your intellectual property stays yours. We operate under strict confidentiality.
Security Clearance Experience
Background in classified and sensitive projects requiring the highest trust.
Research-Grade Quality
Academic rigor meets practical delivery. Every solution is built to last.
Building trust through exceptional delivery since 2024
About Us
Detailed In Design practices Third-Way Alignment as a living discipline, not a slogan. We design AI systems, software, and operational workflows guided by three core laws: Mutual Respect, Shared Flourishing, and Ethical Coexistence. These principles shape how our systems are built, deployed, and governed. Our goal is to translate the theory of Third-Way Alignment into practical, deployable tools that people and organizations can rely on in real-world environments.
We work beyond the limits of standard large language models. While LLMs are powerful, they are not sufficient on their own for high-stakes or precision-critical domains. We integrate LLMs with frontier non-LLM models and domain-specific reasoning systems to form purpose-built architectures. These systems are designed to solve narrowly defined problems with depth, accuracy, and accountability rather than broad, generic outputs. Where off-the-shelf tools fail, our architectures are designed to succeed.
Our specialization lies in environments that demand rigor. High-precision analysis, complex decision-making, and adversarial or ambiguous data conditions are central to our work. We do not pursue scale for its own sake. Instead, we focus on correctness, interpretability, and reliability, especially in domains where errors carry real consequences.
Our methodology is deeply informed by years of experience in digital forensics and criminal justice. This background shapes how we approach data, systems, and behavior. We examine software and information structures with a forensic mindset, identifying patterns, failure modes, and hidden assumptions that traditional technology development often overlooks. This perspective allows us to surface insights, risks, and opportunities that remain invisible to conventional approaches.
At the core of our work is a single mission: human expansion. We build AI systems and services that make individuals and organizations more capable than they are on their own. We do not seek to replace human judgment, creativity, or agency. Instead, we strengthen them through verifiable partnerships between humans and machines. Our systems are designed to augment decision-making, extend expertise, and support accountability rather than undermine it.
Detailed In Design exists to build tools that respect human dignity, increase human capacity, and align technological progress with long-term societal wellbeing. Third-Way Alignment is not a future ideal for us. It is the standard we build by now.
What We Build
What We Build
Enterprise solutions and focused tools, all grounded in proprietary AI.
Custom AI Development
Proprietary AI models designed for your specific use case, not retrofitted LLMs.
Research & Development
Deep technical exploration, proofs of concept, and novel AI solutions with academic rigor.
Hardware-Software Integration
Bridge the gap between AI and your unique infrastructure, including sensors, IoT, and legacy systems.
Workflow Automation
Multi-system orchestration that reduces manual processes and operational costs.
Application Development
From enterprise platforms to focused tools that solve one problem brilliantly.
AI Strategy & Consulting
Strategic guidance grounded in Third-Way Alignment principles.
Projects of Every Scale
Projects of Every Scale
Focused Solutions
- • Single-purpose AI tools
- • Quick-deploy automation
- • Targeted integrations
- • Reach expansion apps
Enterprise Systems
- • Complex AI stacks
- • Multi-system orchestration
- • Custom model development
- • Full R&D partnerships
We meet you where you are and scale with your growth.
Work With Our Team
Let's Build Something Worth Trusting
No client is valued differently because of size. Tell us about your workflow, your data boundaries, and the outcome you need.