AI Companions and Caregiver Workflows in Inclusive Care
Short description
People are increasingly turning to AI companions for comfort, help and support, including in situations of vulnerability and mental ill health. This project investigates how companions can respond to changing cognitive, emotional and social needs while supporting connection and personal agency. It considers the effects on both the people using these systems and caregivers such as psychologists and therapists.
The research will examine how AI companions enter care relationships and workflows, how they affect trust and wellbeing, and where responsibility sits when an interaction becomes difficult. Attention to privacy, dependency, escalation and human oversight will inform evidence on interaction quality and caregiver coordination, alongside practical guidance for training, evaluation and responsible implementation.
Applications closed
The application period ended on 12 October 2026. Applications are being reviewed.
What the project involves
- Explore how AI companions respond to cognitive, emotional and social needs while supporting connection and personal agency.
- Study how companions affect care relationships, caregiver workflows, trust and wellbeing.
- Examine responsibility and safeguards around privacy, dependency, escalation and human oversight.
- Develop evidence and practical guidance for evaluating and introducing AI companions into care.