At the University of Dartmouth, with the help of colleagues, the software product Therabot was developed, based on artificial intelligence, over a period of approximately six years. Unlike previously proposed startups in the field of artificial intelligence, this research was not rushed.
Researchers also conducted clinical trials during which Therabot demonstrated its ability to improve the condition of patients suffering from anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress compared to those who did not use the program.
Current research is aimed at comparing the effectiveness of smart assistants with traditional methods of treating patients. With the advent of such chatbots developed by research groups, they have received scientific testing and are designed for psychological health.
However, Therabot, which has not yet become available, does not have analogs on the market, according to experts. "Some of these products were not even created by specialists," - added File Wright.
Michael Hynes, a psychiatrist and one of the project leaders, noted that to develop Therabot, the team initially used text consultations, then training videos, and later implemented hand-simulated conversation models.
Some external stakeholders argue that digital methods have the potential to improve access to psychological support for patients.