Talking therapy: AI competition winning AI bot redefines mental health support
Meet Prarthana Sapkota; the winner of last month’s LabNext70 AI Competition. Prarthana is studying Master of Data Science at UNE.
Part of her prize for winning the competition was an internship at LabNext70. Currently, Prarthana is working remotely with the LabNext70 team in a research and development role. “What excites me most is seeing how AI can solve real-world problems and improve user experiences,” she says.
Prarthana’s prize winning entry was a therapy bot. “The idea came from recognising the growing need for accessible mental health resources. The bot offers users a safe space to express their feelings and receive thoughtful, AI-generated responses,” she says.
“It’s aimed at anyone who might need someone to talk to, especially those who may not have immediate access to professional help. By leveraging natural language processing, the bot can understand user inputs and provide supportive, empathetic interactions.”
The robots are taking over.
And they want to know how you’re feeling.
At least, that is what UNE international student, Prarthana Sapkota’s prize winning therapy bot wants. Designed to meet the growing need for accessible mental health resources, Prarthana’s thereby bot won the LabNext70 AI competition; a space where up-and-coming tech minds can showcase their skills in generative AI prompt writing.
“The idea came from recognising the growing need for accessible mental health resources. The bot offers users a safe space to express their feelings and receive thoughtful, AI-generated responses,” says Prarthana.
“It’s aimed at anyone who might need someone to talk to, especially those who may not have immediate access to professional help. By leveraging natural language processing, the bot can understand user inputs and provide supportive, empathetic interactions.”
Originally from Nepal, Prarthana was an undergraduate when her interest in AI began while working on a news classification project. “That experience sparked my curiosity, and I started exploring other areas like facial recognition, fake news detection, and chatbot development,” she says. “The more I learned, the more fascinated I became by the potential of AI to solve complex problems and transform industries.”
“The more I learned, the more fascinated I became by the potential of AI to solve complex problems and transform industries.” - Prarthana Sapkota
Moving to Armidale earlier this year to study a Master of Data Science at UNE, Prarthana has embraced campus life at Austin Page College and balances her academic pursuits with creative hobbies like drawing and exploring nature. Entering the LabNext70 competition was just one of the many opportunities available to her at UNE, and winning was one of the biggest achievements during her studies.
“I entered the LabNext70 competition because it presented a unique opportunity to challenge myself and apply my AI skills to a real-world problem.
“I wanted to test my knowledge, learn from the experience, and contribute something meaningful to the field. Competitions like this are a great way to push boundaries, gain practical insights, and connect with like-minded individuals.”
Part of her prize for winning the competition was an internship at LabNext70. Currently, Prarthana works remotely with LabNext70 in a research and development role. “What excites me most is seeing how AI can solve real-world problems and improve user experiences,” she says.
“At the moment, I’m working on researching the AI models and agents to enhance their efficiency and accuracy in handling queries.
“What excites me most about this opportunity is the chance to see how AI can address real-world problems and improve user experiences. Collaborating with industry experts and learning from their ideas and approaches has been incredibly inspiring and has deepened my understanding of the field.”
With her LabNext70 achievements and ongoing contributions to AI research, Prarthana firmly believes AI can revolutionise education by providing personalised support to students and automating administrative tasks for staff.
“AI can enhance efficiency, accessibility, and the overall educational experience,” she says.
“After graduating,” Prarthana continues, “I aspire to work in AI research and development, with a particular focus on natural language processing and AI-driven automation.
“My goal is to contribute to the development of AI solutions that enhance efficiency and decision-making across various industries. I’m passionate about creating technologies that can make a tangible difference in people’s lives and drive innovation in the field.”
While continuing to embody the transformative potential of technology in addressing global challenges, Prarthana is poised to make a lasting impact in the field of AI.
And, just like the robots, she is taking over.