Pink AI

Pink AI: Free, personalized, 24/7 therapy via artificial intelligence for optimal security and trust. Because your pink matter, matters. 

The mental health crisis is a global problem, with 1 in 4 people affected by mental or neurological disorders. Lack of access to proper treatment and support is a significant issue, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the problem. Factors such as poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and lack of social support contribute to the crisis. The consequences of untreated mental health disorders include decreased quality of life, increased risk of suicide and self-harm or harm to others, and strain on healthcare systems. Additionally, people with untreated mental health disorders are more likely to experience chronic physical health problems and have a lower life expectancy. Our AI therapy platform aims to bridge the gap in mental health care accessibility and provide a more efficient and cost-effective solution. 

To address the problem of mental health crisis and lack of access to proper treatment, we are developing an artificial intelligence therapy platform. This platform aims to provide free and accessible mental health therapy for everyone, 24/7 access, limitless optimization to best fit the user, and with no room for human error or misdiagnosis. With the use of advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, our platform can assist individuals in identifying and addressing mental health concerns in a timely and effective manner. It will also make therapy available for people who may be living in remote areas with limited access to mental health professionals or for people who are not comfortable with traditional face-to-face therapy.

Our AI therapy platform utilizes blockchain technology for its benefits in decentralization. Blockchain is a secure, transparent and tamper-proof way of storing and sharing information across a network of computers. With the platform being based on blockchain technology, it is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, ensuring more equitable access to mental health therapy services.

Our AI therapy platform primarily targets underprivileged communities, who lack access to proper treatment and support due to financial or even societal stigma barriers. Our platform aims to provide a free, accessible, and private solution for individuals who may not feel comfortable stepping forward or have limited access to traditional therapy options, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Currently, this population is underserved due to a lack of access to mental health resources, the high cost of therapy and fear of stigma. Our platform addresses these needs by allowing individuals to open up and share their struggles without fear of judgement or compromise of privacy. Additionally, the platform is open-source and accessible to anyone with an internet connection, making it more inclusive and equitable for underprivileged communities.

Juliana Echavarria, the founder of PINK AI, is a first-generation Latinx student at Florida International University. She has a passion for blockchain technology and the benefits of decentralization and founded the first blockchain student organization at her university, Blockchain at FIU, in August 2022 that she currently leads as President.

She also works as an entry-level marketing associate at Suntuity, a renewable energy company, and is an ambassador for Women in Blockchain Miami. Her captivation with revolutionary technologies, from the renewable energy industry to building with blockchain technology, has now led her to begin exploring the limitless potential of artificial intelligence.

Juliana has experience in leadership, blockchain technology, and promoting diversity, gender and educational equity, and representation in the technology industry. Furthermore, her personal experience with mental health and growing up in a low-income single parent household, gives her a unique understanding of the struggles faced by those dealing with mental health issues and the importance of accessible and effective solutions. She has first-hand experience with mental health therapy and has seen the many flaws in the system that can be fixed with technology.

Joshua Pichardo, the Technical Co-Founder of PINK AI, is also a Latinx student, a Web3 developer with 3 years of experience in blockchain technology and is a certified web3 developer. He is also skilled in machine learning programming languages, which will be useful in delivering the solution and solving the problem. Together, Juliana and Joshua's background and experiences uniquely position them and their team to deliver the solution and solve the problem. They both come from diverse backgrounds, being Latinx, and understand the importance of diversity and representation in the technology industry. Furthermore, the team leader's personal experience with mental health gives them a unique understanding of the struggles faced by those dealing with mental health issues and the importance of accessible and effective solutions. They are able to understand the unique needs of the underprivileged communities and create solutions that cater to them.

We've started conducting preliminary research at Florida International University via our student community, Blockchain at FIU, to gauge the interest and potential benefits of an AI therapy platform. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, with many students expressing interest in such a platform. Given the high demand, we are now looking to conduct more extensive feedback surveys, and to do so, we plan to partner with the Artificial Intelligence club organization at our university. This partnership will allow us to gather more detailed feedback and insights from a diverse and inclusive group of students.

One of the reasons why we chose to start on our university is because of the high levels of stress and mental health challenges that university students often face. According to the American College Health Association, in the past year, more than 60% of college students reported experiencing overwhelming anxiety, and over 40% reported feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function. With these statistics in mind, it is clear that an AI therapy platform would be extremely beneficial for university students, and we believe that it has the potential to make a real difference in their lives.

Additionally, we are also gathering additional research from various sources to understand the needs and challenges of underprivileged communities who often lack access to mental health therapy. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), minorities, low-income communities, and rural areas are disproportionately affected by a lack of access to mental health care. Our goal is to ensure that our AI therapy platform is accessible and beneficial for all communities, especially those who are most in need of support.

Pink AI will redefine the way we view mental health. Our platform has the potential to change the market for mental health treatment and the psychiatry industry as a whole in a number of ways:

1. Increased accessibility: The platform makes mental health therapy more accessible and affordable to a wider population, particularly those who live in remote areas, undeserved areas or are not comfortable with traditional face-to-face therapy. This could lead to a reduction in the number of people who suffer from mental health issues and an improvement in overall mental well-being.

2. Improved efficiency: By utilizing advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, the platform can assist individuals in identifying and addressing mental health concerns in a timely and effective manner. This could lead to more efficient treatment for patients and better patient outcomes.

3. Increased scalability: With 24/7 access and limitless optimization to best fit the user, the platform is able to scale up and reach more people than traditional mental health services. This could lead to a reduction in the number of people who suffer from mental health issues and an improvement in overall mental well-being.

4. Reduced costs: The platform is free and accessible to everyone, it could lead to reduced costs for patients, and it might also lead to a reduction in the costs of mental health services for health care providers.

5. Improved Data Management: The platform utilizes blockchain technology which ensures more secure and transparent sharing of information across a network of computers. This could lead to more efficient communication and collaboration between healthcare providers, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

Pink AI is innovative because it's disruptive and will forever change the way we access mental health therapy. And open up opportunities for mental health professionals to utilize this technology hand in hand with their practice to better serve their patients. 

Specifically for the next year our impact goals are to demonstrate the power of Pink AI starting by granting the youth the gift of free on the go 24/7 therapy that can be fully personalized and optimizable to fit their needs and preference. 

At scale, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will be the backbone of our platform, providing the power to store and analyze vast amounts of behavioral and psychological data. This will allow the platform to identify and address mental health concerns in a timely and effective manner.

Our platform will be intuitive and user-friendly, with software and mobile applications that are easy to navigate, and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. To further increase accessibility, we will be turning the platform into a decentralized application (DAPP) which utilizes blockchain technology for optimal security, transparency, and tamper-proofing.

Additional technologies such as Internet of Things, Audiovisual Media, Behavioral Technology, Big Data, Biomimicry, Biotechnology / Bioengineering, and Crowd Sourced Service / Social Networks will be integrated to enhance the platform's capabilities and provide a more engaging and personalized, human-like experience for users.

Once the platform is fully developed, we will begin beta testing in the education sector, with a focus on middle and high schools, starting in South Florida. Specifically, we will target students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds attending Title 1 schools. These areas have been identified as having a high percentage of students facing behavioral and emotional issues and limited access to free mental health services. Our goal is to create a measurable and substantial impact on the mental well-being of these students.

According to the Children's Defense Fund, nearly 40% of youth who needed mental health care did not receive the necessary treatment. For families living in poverty, that number reaches 45%, and for black and Latino children, it is 55% and 46%, respectively.

Our objective is to reach at least 30,000 students in targeted areas within the first year of testing. This represents approximately 10% of the total student population in low-income areas in South Florida, according to data from the US Census Bureau (2021).

1. Building a larger tech team: Currently it is only Joshua currently working on developing the platform, expanding and building a strong developer team is key in order to develop Pink AI more quickly and with more precision. With more hands on deck, the team will be responsible for creating the AI algorithms, designing the user interface, and conducting user testing. A larger team will also allow us to work on different aspects of the platform simultaneously, which will ultimately lead to a more efficient development process. 

2. Raising funding: Without adequate funding, we will be unable to build a larger tech team, which is essential to the development of the platform. This includes hiring more developers, data scientists, and designers to work on the platform, as well as covering other costs such as infrastructure and marketing expenses.

3. Legalities: A third barrier is related to the legalities of creating an AI-based mental health therapy platform. This includes understanding the regulatory requirements and certifications needed for our platform to be used in a clinical setting. Additionally, we need a dedicated team to conduct research and handle the legalities of using AI in the healthcare field.

4. Breaking into the market: A final barrier is breaking into the market and forming strategic alliances and partnerships for support. This includes reaching out to potential partners and clients in the healthcare and education industries, as well as building a strong brand and reputation for the platform. Additionally, it includes creating marketing strategies and building a network of influencers to help promote the platform.

At the moment, we have not yet established any partnerships. However, we have identified a strategic approach to building relationships with key players in the education and mental health sectors. We plan to engage with schools, student organizations, and mental health organizations within the coming year to generate interest and begin beta testing our platform within these specific target audiences. This will allow us to gather valuable feedback and insights to further improve the platform before its official launch.

At Pink AI, we are revolutionizing the way therapy is accessed by making it free and easily accessible for all. Our business model is built around creating mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations in the healthcare, education, and need-based sectors. We will generate revenue through research and data sharing agreements, where organizations can gain valuable insights and services from our platform. We will also explore licensing agreements, allowing other companies to integrate our technology into their products and services. Additionally, we will generate revenue through the sale of anonymized data for use in studies and analysis that is actively working to improve the resources available to combat the mental health crisis. By creating these partnerships, we can not only sustain and grow our platform but also make a tangible impact on people's lives. And to reach a bigger audience we can also explore advertising opportunities with companies that align with our mission.

Pink AI plans to raise funding through a combination of different strategies. Our main focus will be on the following four pillars:

1. Venture Capital: We plan to reach out to venture capital firms that specialize in healthcare and technology sectors, to raise funding and bring in strategic investors who can help us to develop and grow our platform.

2. Private Investors: We will also look for private investors such as angel investors and family offices that share our vision and mission and believe in our potential for success.

3. Partnerships: We will form partnerships with organizations in the healthcare, education, and need-based sectors, such as hospitals, insurance providers, and non-profit organizations. These partnerships will provide funding as well as help us to generate revenue through research and data sharing agreements, and licensing agreements.

4. Grants: Research grants, federal and local grants, private and public from government agencies, private foundations, and philanthropic organizations that share our mission of making therapy accessible and free for all. 

5. Programs: Startup programs that support innovative technologies in healthcare.

Overall, our funding strategy will be based on a combination of venture capital, private investors, partnerships, research grants, federal and local grants, private and public startup programs to ensure our financial sustainability and growth.