Using AI to help people lose weight through automated counseling
Official title: Neural Conversational Agent for Automated Weight Loss Counseling
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-10805481 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how friendly AI chatbots can help people lose weight by offering support and motivation, especially for those who might not have easy access to a counselor or find it too expensive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | March 8, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $182,304 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NR020388-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10805481 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over the age of 21 who are seeking assistance with weight loss and may benefit from automated counseling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not seeking weight loss or who prefer in-person counseling may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the use of artificial intelligence, specifically neural conversational agents, to provide automated weight loss counseling. It aims to overcome barriers to traditional behavioral health care, such as limited access to human counselors and high costs. By leveraging advanced AI techniques, the project seeks to create a system that can effectively engage individuals in motivational interviewing, a proven method for encouraging behavior change. The goal is to assess how well these AI agents can support individuals in their weight loss journeys.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide accessible and effective weight loss counseling to individuals who may not have access to traditional services.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of AI in behavioral health is still emerging, there is growing evidence that similar approaches have shown promise in other areas of healthcare.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kotov, Alexander — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Kotov, Alexander
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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.