Light: AI companion powered by therapy method
Austen Li
Advisor: Theo Ellin Ballew
Light, your AI companion for mental wellness. With our app, embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth through affordable, AI-guided sessions inspired by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Unpack your thoughts, reflect, and find solutions in a safe, therapeutic environment. Light ensures privacy while offering invaluable support. Start your journey today towards a brighter, healthier mind.
Abstract
Light is an AI-driven voice chat App designed to serve as a companion who can help its users address their mental concerns through affordable and therapeutic solutions.
Inspired by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles, the product leverages voice as its primary mode of interaction, guiding users through constructive sessions tailored to address their troubles and concerns. The experience positions users in a therapeutic environment in which they would gradually unpack their thoughts and reflect on their concerns by talking to the AI companion. It also aims to promote long-term growth by providing session summaries at the end of each session and using the history of the previous sessions to assist future conversations. The project aims to provide users with an educational tool to help them explore ways to self-reflect on their mental challenges and get a taste of talking therapy prior to necessitating professional medical intervention.
Light explores the potential of AI chatbots taking the roles of emotional companions in our lives. The project investigated the solutions for safeguarding user data privacy while effectively offering emotional support to the users.
Technical Details
Light utilizes large language models and their capabilities to reimagine how AI chatbot could become our daily companions. The project used ChatGPT and prompt engineering to prototype and test the interactions. The AI generated voice is created using ElevenLabs.
Tools: Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects
Research/Context
The inspiration for Light comes from a post I saw on reddit. Someone shared their experience asking ChatGPT to pretend to be their deceased father and talked to ChatGPT to say their last words. We have the tendency to become attached to a chatbot who is always available, but how to do that safely and effectively is still a question at stake. Light is my experiment towards this vision. In this project, I used ChatGPT and prompt engineering to create an AI chatbot who can guide its users through a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy session and conducted usability tests on several participants. The test yielded positive results - multiple participants expressed that they felt comforted after talking to the chatbot, despite that some of them were doubtful from the beginning. The following of the projects dive into the design of Light, and how different features could facilitate the interactions with the AI companion.