Will Zhang, the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of EmoEx, remembers the moment the idea for his groundbreaking app was born. It all started with a casual chat with his Chief Technology Officer, who had just experienced road rage. Will wondered, "What if people could vent their anger to an Artificial Intelligence (AI)? An AI wouldn't fight back."
Addressing the mental health crisis
Will researched mental health and discovered that one in four people will face a mental health issue in their lifetime (World Health Organisation. 2019). Realising there weren't enough resources to support them, Will and his team decided to create an app and website using AI to offer basic mental and physical health support.
They wanted these solutions to be accessible, affordable, and scalable—something human resources alone couldn't achieve.
In New Zealand, there are only 15 mental health workers for every 100,000 people.(RNZ, 2023) In some developing countries, this number plummets to 0.02 per 100,000. Recognising this urgent need, EmoEx was born.
EmoEx offers a mobile app available on Google Play and the App Store, as well as a user-friendly website. Users can chat with five social AI characters, each designed to meet different needs.
These AI characters create a safe, non-judgmental space for users to express themselves, helping with issues like workplace stress and family troubles. Will believes that having a place to release negative emotions can prevent them from building up and leading to depression and anxiety.
If the app detects self-harm or suicidal thoughts, it refers users to local health services. For physical health issues, real doctors back the AI characters, ensuring they give safe, non-prescriptive advice.
Multilingual support
A standout feature of EmoEx is its multilingual support. The AI companions can communicate in around 140 languages, making mental health support accessible to a diverse range of users.
Will emphasises that EmoEx is no replacement for professional help or real friendships. It's a supplementary tool to support users on their mental health journey.
Will continues to advocate for government support and regulation in the digital health space to ensure the safe and effective use of AI in mental health care.
Will Zhang with his team on the Pink Shirt Day.
Reflecting on the journey
Since its launch in November 2023, EmoEx has gained traction, with 40,000 users, seven million website visits and 26,000 daily sessions.
Reflecting on his journey, Will thanks his team, investors, and the Ministry for Ethnic Communities for their support. He encourages others, especially migrants facing cultural adjustment challenges, to prioritise their mental health by finding ways to release stress, whether through AI companions or real-life friendships.
Visit EmoEX website for more information: Internet Security by Zscaler (emoexai.com)