SBIR Phase II: An Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Enabled Coaching Platform Providing Scalable Support for Caregivers

The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is its potential to advance the commercialization of a mobile therapeutic platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide practical, evidence-based coaching directly to caregivers. This innovation helps demonstrate how digital tools can deliver reliable, science grounded support outside of traditional clinical settings. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project advances a technically novel approach that embeds validated behavioral strategies into an adaptive mobile platform supported by artificial intelligence (AI) driven coaching. The central technical challenge addressed by this project is how to translate clinically validated behavioral guidance into adaptive, personalized support that can be delivered digitally without continuous clinician involvement while maintaining safety, consistency, and alignment with established care standards. The project will expand structured, self guided behavioral training and develop decision logic that adapts guidance based on caregiver inputs, engagement patterns, and contextual signals. Additional technical risk lies in increasing the capacity of the artificial intelligence system to deliver more responsive and context aware coaching while preserving reliability. The project will also address challenges related to scalability, performance monitoring, and robustness of adaptive behavior over time. Ongoing field testing will be used to evaluate usability, engagement, and early indicators of effectiveness and to guide iterative technical refinement. This work advances scientific and technological understanding of how artificial intelligence systems can support the scalable delivery of psychosocial interventions beyond traditional clinical settings. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.