AI for Equity: Bridging Gaps in Health and Social Services
What if artificial intelligence (AI) could close the gap in healthcare for those who have been historically left behind? What if AI wasn't just about faster code and smarter algorithms, but about creating a more just world for everyone?
At She Shapes AI (SSAI), we are dedicated to demonstrating that when AI is developed with intention and integrity, it has the power to benefit our economy and, crucially, society.
A significant opportunity for AI Done Well lies in confronting the long-standing equity gaps within our healthcare and social service systems. These disparities range from a scarcity of health information to limited mental health resources for marginalized communities. The innovators at the forefront of this movement are using AI not just to mitigate risk but to catalyze proactive, human-centered change.
This blog highlights how responsible AI, often led by women, is actively contributing to narrowing these gaps through compelling real-world examples that paint a picture of a more just future.
Women Leaders Forging New Paths in AI
The AI industry has traditionally prioritized speed and scalability. However, a new generation of AI leaders, many of them women, is bringing a different focus to the health space. Their work in this vital sector proves that responsible and ethical AI development is not just a technical challenge but a cultural one. By centering their approach on values such as empathy, dignity, and collective well-being, they ensure that technology in health and social services thrives on diverse perspectives. This is the very intersection of innovative female entrepreneurs + responsible AI + social impact that is core to the She Shapes AI mission.
Below are a few examples of how these leaders from around the world are creating a tangible impact.
Broadening Access to Health Information: The Work of mDoc
For many people around the globe, especially those managing chronic illnesses, a lack of reliable health information can have serious consequences. Dr. Nneka Mobisson, co-founder and CEO of mDoc, identified this urgent need. In Lagos, Nigeria, her team created a health tech platform to offer virtual self-care support, assisting individuals in managing their well-being more effectively.
Born from her personal mission to prevent others from experiencing the same tragic loss she did with her father, Dr. Mobisson's work is driven by a deep understanding of the health equity gaps in Africa. mDoc's core product, a chatbot called Kem (short for “nkem,” the Igbo word for "my own"), was initially trained on an extensive dataset of questions and answers from human coaches. The team is now integrating large language models (LLMs) to make the bot even more responsive and trustworthy. As noted by the Gates Foundation, this approach makes vital health information more widely available, directly addressing disparities in health literacy and access. mDoc's co-creation process with local communities ensures the technology is culturally relevant. Thus helping individuals take charge of their health and, as Nneka says, "really live healthier, happier and more productive lives." This is AI closing the information gap, turning knowledge into agency.
Enhancing Mental Health Support: Woebot Health and Wysa
Mental health support is a universal necessity, yet it remains inaccessible for countless individuals due to high costs, stigma, and a shortage of professionals. Female leaders are pioneering new ways to overcome these hurdles.
Woebot Health, founded by Alison Darcy, is leading the development of AI-powered chat tools for mental wellness. It is a compassionate AI companion that offers initial mental health assessments and therapeutic strategies based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). For those in remote locations, with financial constraints, or who fear the stigma of seeking help, Woebot offers a private and supportive entry point to mental well-being, available 24/7. Woebot Health places a high priority on safety, privacy, and security, with features such as concerning language recognition to help connect users to crisis resources. As outlined on the Woebot Health website, the company is HIPAA compliant. It conducts all clinical studies with IRB review and maintains a strict policy of never selling user data. This rigorous approach builds the trust necessary for a tool to be truly effective. Dr. Darcy’s work has been celebrated for its impact in advancing AI for social good by offering a scalable solution to a global health challenge. This dedication was further recognized when she was named to the prestigious 2023 TIME100 AI list, honoring the 100 most influential individuals who are advancing conversations about how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the world.
This commitment to accessible, responsible mental health support is also central to the work of Wysa, a prominent AI chatbot for mental wellness and coaching. Founded by Jo Aggarwal, Wysa's approach, grounded in evidence-based techniques like CBT, has been clinically validated to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. The platform is completely anonymous and secure, serving over 6 million people in 95 countries. The service is available 24/7, providing immediate support and helping to address the stigma and time constraints that often prevent people from seeking care. This dual focus on accessibility and proven impact demonstrates how women are innovating with AI to provide empathetic and effective solutions. Wysa is also exploring how AI can support human therapists with its new Wysa Copilot platform. As outlined in a Wysa blog post, this new platform is designed to assist clinicians by providing automated assessments and progress tracking, freeing up time to focus on patient care. The company's commitment to responsible AI, as detailed in a separate playbook by Jo Aggarwal, is central to their design principles, ensuring safety and privacy for sensitive mental health conversations.
Bolstering Community Safety: The Trevor Project
For LGBTQ+ youth, mental health issues are often intensified by social stigma and discrimination, creating a significant barrier to care. The Trevor Project, founded by Peggy Rajski, is dedicated to building a more accepting world for this community. Having co-founded the organization in 1998 and later serving as its Interim CEO, Rajski’s leadership is defined by a "mission-first" mindset and a fierce passion for advocacy, driven by her Oscar-winning short film, Trevor.
The organization's primary service is its human-led crisis hotline, but it uses AI to strategically enhance its support. As reported by MIT Technology Review and supported by Google.org funding and Fellows, a sophisticated AI-powered "Crisis Contact Simulator" is used to train counselors by emulating realistic conversations with youth personas. This allows volunteer trainees to practice their skills outside of normal business hours. It helps to scale the organization's capacity to meet demand. In addition, The Trevor Project uses a machine learning algorithm to help triage incoming calls, prioritizing those at the highest risk of harm and ensuring they are connected to a human counselor sooner. This strategic use of technology highlights AI's capacity to amplify human compassion and expertise, rather than replace it.
The Indispensable Role of Women in Equitable AI
As these examples demonstrate, the influence of women in shaping the future of AI in the health space goes beyond mere representation. It is about creating superior technology built on unique insights, empathy, and a focus on human-centered design. These elements are vital for creating responsible and fair AI systems, and key to preventing algorithmic bias and ensuring that AI solutions are truly inclusive. Addressing equity gaps with AI is not just a technical endeavor. It is a cultural and ethical mission that demands purposeful leadership.
The Path Forward: What AI Done Well Looks Like
The promising, transformative power of AI is being harnessed by a new generation of leaders who are directing innovation towards the greater good. By concentrating on areas of critical need and developing solutions with integrity, care, and a strong sense of purpose, these women are proving that AI can be a powerful catalyst for a more equitable world for all.
To continue the conversation and learn more about AI Done Well, powered by women and backed by visionaries, we invite you to explore:
The She Shapes AI Global Awards and SSAI programmes, which showcase a wide array of female-led projects driving social impact.
Our other blog posts, such as "The Power of AI Done Well: The ripple effect of responsible AI" and "The Power of AI Done Well: What Does 'Responsible AI' Really Mean?".
The work of organizations like Women in AI (WAI), a "do-tank" focused on women and minorities in AI, Women in AI Ethics (WAIE), a non-profit supporting diverse ethical voices in AI, and Women in Tech, a global movement dedicated to closing the gender gap and empowering women to embrace technology.
