The University of Limerick and Gemmo AI are launching an innovative project to promote physical activity among autistic individuals through a cutting-edge AI chatbot. Developed as part of the ‘Ideal 2.0’ project, funded by the European Commission, they have created a beta version of the MoveMuse chatbot, which aims to educate and motivate autistic individuals to be more physically active. Initially focused on autistic college students, this initiative aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence to provide personalised prompts and guidance for engaging in physical activity.
Autistic adults face significant physical and mental health disparities compared to the general population. One cause of these disparities is low levels of physical activity among autistic people. Only about 19% of autistic adults meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, compared to 49% of the general population. This inactivity contributes to higher rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders.
Research indicates that AI chatbots can significantly enhance motivation and adherence to health interventions. AI chatbots are increasingly being used to help autistic individuals develop social skills. A study published in the International Journal of Social Robotics highlighted how chatbots can support social interaction and communication skills, showing promise for improving the social lives of autistic individuals.
MoveMuse is trained using the latest large language model (LLM) technology, incorporating peer-reviewed scientific literature on exercise and autism. It leverages the evidence-based WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) strategy to enhance motivation and goal-setting. This strategy helps users visualise their goals, identify potential obstacles, and create practical plans—a particularly beneficial approach for autistic individuals who thrive with structured guidance. The project is in collaboration with researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin City University, KU Leuven, and Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw.
The chatbot is designed to:
- Provide precise, tailored information to meet each user’s unique needs.
- Deliver engaging and motivating educational prompts.
- Respond to a diverse range of inquiries related to physical activity.
- Identify barriers to physical activity reported by users and suggest personalised, practical strategies to overcome them.
- Assist in setting realistic, measurable goals, tracking progress, and providing feedback.
Flexibly adjust goals based on user progress and feedback, ensuring a supportive and adaptive approach to physical activity. This project reflects the University of Limerick’s commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to better serve the community. “Through the MoveMuse chatbot we aim to empower autistic adults to lead more active and healthier lives,” says Dr. Sean Healy, Associate Professor in the Physical Activity for Health (PAfT) Centre at the University of Limerick.
“This is AI for good—practical AI at work. We can take simple ideas, automate them, and create something not only useful but potentially life-changing,” adds Luca Marchesotti, CEO of Gemmo AI.
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