G4.01 - Oral: An Investigation of College Students' View About AI in Well-being

Brief Abstract Summary: Explores college students' perceptions of ideas for an AI-driven mHealth application designed to promote well-being. With rising mental health challenges in academic settings, students increasingly seek digital tools that provide holistic support for physical, mental, and financial health. Through focus groups, this qualitative study examines students' preferences for features like personalized health tracking, educational content, and flexible reminders within a private, supportive community. Key findings emphasize students' desire for a balanced, all-in-one app that integrates health and wellness tools without overwhelming them with notifications. The findings underscore the value of user-centered design in developing mHealth solutions that foster engagement, simplify wellness management, and respect user privacy. This research contributes to understanding how digital platforms can be tailored to effectively support college student well-being.

Detailed abstract description: The increasing use of mobile technology to promote wellness among college students is well-documented. Mobile health (mHealth) applications, especially those powered by artificial intelligence (AI), have shown promise in offering tailored support to encourage positive health behaviors. AI-driven systems like Alexa, Siri, and DJ on Spotify provide personalized recommendations based on user behavior, and similar approaches are now emerging in wellness technologies. The growing concern over college students' mental health, with rising rates of stress, anxiety, and depression, underscores the urgency for innovative interventions (American Psychological Association [APA], 2013). mHealth applications have gained traction due to their convenience, personalization, and ability to empower users to take control of their health (Ebert et al., 2019). However, despite their potential, few studies have specifically examined college students' perspectives on such apps' design, usability, and overall value (Holtz et al., 2020; Heron et al., 2019).

Our plan is to highlight the critical need for a personalized, user-friendly AI assistant like those proposed for an AI-assistant, designed to help college students manage their holistic well-being. Students seek tools integrating physical, mental, and financial health into a single, easy-to-use platform. They also value features like customizable reminders, educational content, and engaging in a supportive, non-competitive community.
A key challenge for the app will be to balance personalization with simplicity. The app must provide meaningful support without overwhelming users with frequent notifications or complicated features. Additionally, while social media and technology integration are essential for reaching the target audience, these features must be implemented thoughtfully to avoid adding unnecessary stress.

Students' preference for digital platforms reflects a broader trend toward privacy and non-judgmental spaces when discussing sensitive health topics. As such, Ai-assistant design should focus on providing personalized, private, and supportive interactions, making it an appealing tool for students navigating the complexities of academic life, personal well-being, and career aspirations. Future research will need to investigate if attending to these desired preferences actually helps. As has been documented, intentions do not match reality.

College students expressed a strong interest in using an AI-driven app like the ideas proposed for an app to help them manage their health and well-being. These findings suggest that by focusing on user-centric design, personalization, and comprehensive support. This research suggests these ideas have the potential to become a valuable resource for students seeking balance, support, and long-term well-being. Now we need to build the technology to enable these preferences and determine if they deliver the expected benefits.