If you are in crisis or need immediate support: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or contact emergency services.
You can start on your phone. The prescreener and consent form work on any device. The session itself needs a desktop or laptop with a microphone — you can book it for later.
Research Study · Teachers College, Columbia University

How does an AI-guided conversation
affect stress and emotional awareness?

A research study examining the effects of a brief somatic AI-guided session on self-reported stress and wellbeing.

Somatics is a gentle, body-based practice that helps you reconnect with your body through breathwork, visualization and body-awareness (interoception) — so as to feel more grounded, and support stress relief and wellbeing.

IRB approved — enrollment now open
Start the prescreener Takes about two minutes, and works on any device. The session itself needs a desktop or laptop.
IRB approved. Enrollment is now open.
Research purposes only — not therapy, medical care, or crisis support
Participation is voluntary — you may stop at any time
A brief AI-guided conversation with Mira exploring stress and emotional awareness
A First Look

Here's what a session could look like.

Before the details, a glimpse of what participation actually feels like. Both conditions are spoken conversations with Mira and use the same voice. What differs is what you see on screen.

Condition A

Green Orb

You will hear Mira's voice guiding you through the session. On screen, Mira appears as a green orb that pulses as she speaks — no face, no body.

Condition B

Human-Like Avatar

Mira
Mira · AI Somatic Guide

You will hear the same voice guiding you through the session. On screen, Mira appears as a human-like avatar that speaks and responds as you talk.

Condition assignment is random. You will not be able to choose your condition.

About the Study

What this research is about.

Two conditions

Green orb or human-like avatar on screen — randomly assigned

Research focus

Can a brief AI-guided somatic conversation reduce self-reported stress?

One topic

Stress, self-doubt, bodily tension, or a boundary-related experience

25–35 minutes

Fully online, one session

What participation involves

  • Completing an online prescreener
  • Completing an online consent form
  • Completing a brief pre-session questionnaire
  • Participating in a 10–15 minute AI-guided session
  • Completing a brief post-session questionnaire

Key details

  • Total time: approximately 25–35 minutes online
  • Location: fully online
  • Compensation: entry into a drawing for one $100 Amazon gift card
  • Conducted through Teachers College, Columbia University
Eligibility

Who can participate.

Please read the criteria below before completing the prescreener.

The session needs a desktop or laptop. You can complete the prescreener and the consent form on a phone or tablet. The AI-guided session and both questionnaires must be done on a desktop or laptop with a working microphone, because differences in device and audio setup would affect the study data. If you are on a phone now, you can still sign up and book your session for later.

You may be eligible if you

  • Are 18 years of age or older
  • Are currently based in the United States
  • Are comfortable completing the study in English
  • Have access to a desktop or laptop computer with a working microphone and stable internet connection for the session itself — the prescreener and consent form can be completed on any device
  • Are willing to participate in a brief AI-guided somatic dialogue and breathing exercise
  • Are willing for the AI-guided session to be audio recorded for research purposes
  • Are prepared to discuss one manageable topic related to stress, self-doubt, bodily tension, or a boundary-related experience

Please do not participate if you are currently experiencing

  • A manic or hypomanic episode, or think you might be
  • Severe dissociation
  • A mental health crisis
  • Active suicidal thoughts
  • Imminent self-harm risk
  • Concern that you may not be able to keep yourself safe today
  • Any situation where you feel unable to safely complete a brief guided conversation
If you are currently in crisis, at risk of harming yourself or someone else, or need immediate support, please call or text 988 or contact emergency services. This study is not a substitute for crisis support.
How It Works

What participation looks like.

Eligible participants will follow this sequence.

1

Complete the Prescreener

A brief set of questions to confirm eligibility. No personal information is collected at this stage. Ineligible participants are directed to an exit page — no data is stored.

2

Review and Sign the Consent Form

Eligible participants will be directed to an online consent form explaining the study in full. Participation begins only after consent is given.

3

Complete the Pre-Session Questionnaire

A brief questionnaire capturing your current stress level and emotional state before the session begins.

4

Participate in the AI-Guided Session

Both conditions are spoken conversations with Mira using the same voice. You will be randomly assigned to one of two on-screen presentations: a green orb, or a human-like avatar. The session is 10–15 minutes and is audio recorded for research purposes. It must be completed on a desktop or laptop computer, in a quiet space, using headphones or a working microphone.

Takes about 10–15 minutes. Plan for about 30 minutes in total, from start to finish.

5

Complete the Post-Session Questionnaire

A brief questionnaire capturing your experience after the session. This is the final step.

6

Compensation

Participants who complete all required study activities will be entered into a drawing for one $100 Amazon gift card.

Prescreener

Check your eligibility.

The prescreener takes about two minutes, and you'll find out right away whether you're eligible. You can then take part straight away or book a time that suits you.

Before you start

The whole study takes about 30 minutes in one sitting: a consent form, a short pre-session survey (~2 min), a 10–15 minute spoken conversation with Mira, and a brief post-session survey.

You'll need:
  • A desktop or laptop with a working microphone for the session (the prescreener and consent form work on any device)
  • A quiet place where you can speak out loud — headphones help
  • 30 uninterrupted minutes

Not a good time right now? You can still sign up, then book a session for later — we'll email you reminders.

Start the prescreener
You can start on any device. The prescreener and consent form work on a phone or tablet. The session and questionnaires need a desktop or laptop — book a time for later if you are not at one now.

Important Study Information

Conducted through Teachers College, Columbia University. Funded by AI Empath Corporation.
Disclosure: The principal investigator is the developer of the AI tool being evaluated. This research is independent and not a product demonstration.
Participation is voluntary. You may withdraw at any time without penalty or impact on your relationship with Teachers College.
Sessions will be audio recorded for research purposes and handled in accordance with the approved IRB protocol.
This page collects no personal data. Data collection begins only when you start the prescreener.
IRB Protocol Number: 26-388.
The prescreener and consent form can be completed on any device. The session and questionnaires require a desktop or laptop.

Please Note

This is a Somatic AI-Guided Conversation Study. The tool used in this study is not therapy, crisis support, or mental health care — it is a research tool designed to support wellbeing and stress reduction. Please do not participate if you are currently experiencing a mental health crisis or are in need of therapeutic or clinical support.