IWill, an AI and digital health start-up from India, has received fresh funding from Microsoft's 'AI for Accessibility' programme to accelerate IWill GITA, the World's First Controlled Generative-AI Mental Health Companion in Hindi. In 2022, Microsoft funded IWill under the same programme to accelerate and enable the development of IWill GITA in Hindi.
IWill GITA is the world's first controlled generative-AI CBT-based model in Hindi that leverages the potential of generative-AI while maintaining clinical flows and responsible AI use. IWill GITA started its pilot launch in January 2024 and aims to provide access to 615 million Hindi-speaking people with the most effective mental health support in rural and urban India at the most affordable price. It is CBT-based and inspired by Lord Krishna's ethos and the immense significance of GITA.
Ioana Tanase, Accessibility PM, Microsoft, said, "Our shared vision is to broaden the horizons of mental health support, reaching out to an even larger audience and serving more people within the Hindi-speaking community.”
Shipra Dawar, Founder and CEO of IWill and ePsyClinic, added, "Microsoft's immense support was invaluable in helping us create IWill GITA, and we feel honored that, based on its success and future vision, Microsoft AI4A extended the funding and support.
AI for Accessibility is a programme aimed at harnessing the power of AI to amplify human capability for more than one billion people around the world with disabilities. Advocating for people with disabilities, the programme is committed to influencing the future of technology to ensure global independence and inclusion.
