PLATINUM PARTNERS, L.P.

                                                                       Exhibit 1
                                                                       ---------

                                   AGREEMENT

        Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(f)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, the undersigned hereby agree that only one statement containing the
information required by Schedule 13D need be filed with respect to the
beneficial ownership by each of the undersigned of the shares of Common Stock of
Kurzweil Applied Intelligence, Inc.

        EXECUTED as of the 21st day of July, 1997.

                                       PLATINUM PARTNERS, L.P.


                                       By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
                                           ----------------------
                                           Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, President of 
                                           Hori Capital Management, Inc., 
                                           General Partner



                                       HORI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.


                                       By:  /s/Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
                                            ----------------------
                                            Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, President



                                            /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
                                            -----------------------
                                            Xxxxxx X. Xxxx