Student entrepreneur builds AI apps for mental health and water quality

Addressing the mental health gap

India currently faces a significant shortage of mental health professionals. The country has approximately 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, which falls far short of the three per 100,000 recommended by the World Health Organization.

Adhiraj Chauhan is addressing this disparity through his company, Delta AI Revolution. He developed a flagship venture called AIR, an AI-assisted mental health app designed to support people dealing with anxiety, depression, and trauma-related issues.

The app aims to lower barriers to care by removing hurdles related to cost, geography, and language. It provides a way for people to access support without the immediate stigma often associated with traditional mental healthcare settings.

How the AI mental health app works

AIR was not built in a vacuum; it incorporates clinical inputs from Dr. Sandeep Vohra, a former Head of Psychiatry at Max and Apollo Hospitals. The platform utilizes methodologies from cognitive behavioural therapy and established counselling frameworks.

The technology facilitates structured conversations with users while documenting their interactions. By analyzing these inputs, the system can identify specific behavioural patterns over time to help users manage their conditions.

While the app provides structured support, the developers emphasize its role as a supplement. Delta AI Revolution notes that AI-assisted support is not intended to replace the professional judgment of qualified experts in diagnosing or treating patients.

Environmental and behavioral AI

Chauhan's work extends into environmental protection by tackling water pollution. He developed an AI-enabled unmanned marine vehicle that can assess water quality in real-time to monitor aquatic ecosystems and human water sources.

This technology is particularly relevant given that the Central Pollution Control Board identified 296 polluted stretches across 271 Indian rivers. Chauhan has already filed a patent for the core technology and licensed it to an external company for commercial use.

Additionally, he is exploring behavioural digital representations. Working with a professor from the Wharton School, he is creating AI-powered Digital Twins that model individual personality traits, motivations, and decision-making patterns to simulate how people might respond to different situations.

Recognition and government backing

Chauhan's innovations have earned significant institutional and academic recognition. He received the Startup India (DPIIT) Recognition for his AI venture and was named a Visionary Young Leader in AI & Innovation at the Outlook Business Awards.

His work also drew praise from Deepak Bagla, the Mission Director of the Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog. Bagla commended Chauhan's work for its foresight and its potential to contribute to nation-building efforts.

The venture has also secured financial support through the Government of India's TIDE programme. This seed-stage funding comes from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to support his development of these technologies.

Scaling the entrepreneurial ecosystem

Beyond his own products, Chauhan is focused on creating a pathway for other young innovators. He works with various accelerators and mentorship networks to provide resources and guidance to aspiring founders.

His goal is to make it easier for young people to translate their original ideas into sustainable, viable ventures. This involves providing the tools and support systems necessary to navigate the complexities of starting a technology company.

By combining healthcare, environmental tech, and behavioural AI, Chauhan is building a portfolio of tools designed to strengthen human capabilities. His work serves as a model for how emerging technologies can be applied to solve pressing real-world challenges.

Media and publication context

The report on Chauhan's work was verified and authored by the staff of ANI, which is a leading multimedia news agency in South Asia. The agency operates over 100 bureaus across India and the rest of the world to provide coverage on various topics including politics and current affairs.

The press release was provided via PRNewswire, and the publication notes that the views expressed in the post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY. The content also appeared alongside other news items, such as a controversy involving a minister and singer Daler Mehndi, and specifications for OnePlus Buds Clip.