MassAITC Cohort: Year 5 (AD/ADRD)
Initial Proposal Abstract: Over 6 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias (AD/ADRD)—a number expected to surpass 13 million by 2060, placing enormous strain on families and our healthcare system. More than 11.5 million unpaid caregivers now provide over 18 billion hours of support each year, often with little emotional or social help. Many feel isolated, overwhelmed, and unseen.
Socratic Sciences in collaboration with UMass and NYU is developing a scalable, low-cost solution: an app-centered, question-driven approach that fosters deep connection and understanding among caregivers through small, trusted groups. Unlike typical online forums, The app uses crafted, open-ended questions about personal values and caregiving experiences to spark meaningful dialogue and mutual support. In the pilot testing, our team will be collecting and analyzing data related to user engagement, satisfaction, and mutual support, as well as the utility of the newly developed AI facilitation bot.
Our AITC project will develop and refine an AI group facilitator that enhances these small-group dynamics without costly human moderators. Once optimized, this LLM-based facilitation will enable large-scale access, setting the stage for clinical validation and eventual commercialization. The goal is to provide millions of caregivers—especially those underserved—with an effective, accessible, and emotionally sustaining support system