Home Department: Undeclared
Mentor: Ehsan Adeli (Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences)

"Modeling Human Interaction to Enable Empathetic AI for Mental Health and Aging"

Digital technologies have the potential to transform mental health and aging care by supporting natural, human-like interactions. This project develops machine learning methods to detect and model human-to-human interactions from large video datasets. These models will enhance ViBES, a virtual avatar with realistic speech, gestures, and body movement. As a lifelike interface for AI-based therapists, ViBES could help foster meaningful, supportive connections with users. Such systems could serve as mental health companions for younger adults and care assistants for older adults, especially those living with dementia, providing empathetic engagement, answering questions, and offering daily reminders that promote well-being and independence.