Developing, optimising and evaluating an AI-based tobacco cessation app for India.

Purpose and goal:

Together with the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Alex Therapeutics will develop an app based on AI and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) specially adapted to treat tobacco addiction in India. The effect of the app will be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. India has 250 million tobacco users and the number of mobile phone users in the country is approaching one billion.

The app can therefore provide tobacco cessation help to many who today do not receive the care and support they need. Expected results and effects:

The app will be specifically tailored to the Indian market, e.g by handling tobacco products such as bidi, and by being translated into Hindi. Furthermore, it will be personalized at the individual level with the help of AI and have a clinically proven effect. For PHFI, the project is part of their overall objective to promote public health in India. For Alex Therapeutics, the project is part of our global expansion strategy, and will eventually facilitate commercialization in India.

Approach and implementation:

Based on our feasibility study (INNOWWIDE SCI-DTx), we will first make small adjustments in AlexQuit smoking and collect more qualitative data. Towards the end of the first year, we will begin the development of the new, India-adapted, app, and the implementation of an improved AI engine. PHFI is now working to secure funding for the research study. Once accomplished, we will apply for ethical approval and prepare the study, which is planned to begin in 2022 and last for 18 months.