
Source
Inside Higher Ed
Summary
Dartmouth College is developing Evergreen, a student-designed AI chatbot aimed at improving mental health and well-being on campus. Led by Professor Nicholas Jacobson, the project involves more than 130 undergraduates contributing research, dialogue, and content creation to make the chatbot conversational and evidence-based. Evergreen offers tailored guidance on health topics such as exercise, sleep, and time management, using opt-in data from wearables and campus systems. Unlike third-party wellness apps, it is student-built, privacy-focused, and designed to intervene early when students show signs of distress. A trial launch is planned for autumn 2026, with potential for wider adoption across universities.
Key Points
- Evergreen is a Dartmouth-built AI chatbot designed to support student well-being.
- Over 130 undergraduate researchers are developing its conversational features.
- The app personalises feedback using student-approved data such as sleep and activity.
- Safety features alert a self-identified support team if a user is in crisis.
- The first controlled trial is set for 2026, with plans to share the model with other colleges.
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