Project Mentor: Professor Eric Obeysekare, Computer Science and Engineering
2024 Impact Fellows:
Natalie Kam ‘27
Simone Karani ‘26
Juliana Magarelli ‘27
Gabriela Quinteros ‘27
Mohammad Maaz Tanveer ‘27
Vrushti Patel '26
Project Description:
How can Conversational Artificial Intelligence increase access to healthcare information in low-resource settings?
In Sierra Leone, there are about 6.4 healthcare workers per 10,000 people and a significant healthcare knowledge gap exists among these healthcare workers, often due to limited access to resources, training, and up-to-date information. AISHA aims to leverage the conversational abilities of Amazon Alexa to make healthcare knowledge more accessible. Simply put, AISHA is a medical textbook that you can talk to. By offering real-time, voice-enabled healthcare information, AISHA provides healthcare workers answers to medical questions (AISHA Answers), knowledge quizzes to reinforce learning (AISHA Quizzes), and in-depth lessons on key healthcare topics (AISHA Lessons). Currently, the team is exploring avenues to make the device more accessible in low-resource settings as well as provide the services in Krio. Additionally, the team is also working towards expanding our database with informative and easy-to-understand question-answers. AISHA is currently piloting in several healthcare departments in Sierra Leone, with the goal of enhancing healthcare delivery and education for healthcare workers. Computer Science, Product Design, and all other majors are welcome to apply.
