AI-powered quitting coach for Alaska Native adults
Official title: Research Project 1: Navigation and Artificial Intelligence Technology for Indigenous Virtual Education on smoking cessation (NAITIVE)
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11382971 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A smartphone chatbot using artificial intelligence to help Alaska Native adults quit smoking, delivered without in-person visits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $591,836 |
| NIH project number | 5U19MD020533-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382971 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ who smoke and identify as Alaska Native or American Indian living in or connected to AIAN communities.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not use smartphones or prefer in-person support may not benefit from this digital approach.
What this research studies
This project tests a friendly AI chatbot that talks with adults 21 and older who smoke, focusing on AIAN communities in Alaska. The trial compares two different approaches in a two-arm setup to see which helps people quit smoking more effectively. It leverages large language models to provide personalized, empathetic support and skills training through a smartphone app. The study seeks to understand how accessible, scalable digital quit interventions can be for AIAN populations who have limited access to traditional cessation services.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the chatbot could offer a scalable, culturally sensitive way to support AIAN individuals in quitting smoking.
How similar studies have gone: Emerging evidence suggests chatbots can support smoking cessation, but efficacy in AIAN populations is not yet established.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bricker, Jonathan B — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Bricker, Jonathan B
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.