Years before AI wellness apps became common, I founded Hew.ai as one of the first chatbot platforms focused on personal health goals​. This “AI chatdog” combined cutting-edge machine learning with behavioral psychology to help users build healthier habits. We leveraged an algorithm from Cambridge University (notoriously associated with Cambridge Analytica) to analyze a user’s Facebook profile (with permission) to generate a detailed personality profile​. Using these insights, Hew.ai tailored its coaching style to each individual, providing highly personalized motivation instead of one-size-fits-all advice.

To continuously improve support, we integrated Microsoft Research’s Multi-World Testing approach, enabling the system to learn in real time which interventions worked best for each personality type​. Over time, the chatbot adapted its messages based on what resonated with similar users, accelerated learning from feedback, and became an ever-smarter personal wellness coach. We launched Hew.ai on platforms like Facebook Messenger to meet users where they already were, so support was available in their daily communication channels​.

Importantly, Hew.ai also blended AI with human encouragement. It invited users to share short video updates and rallied support from friends and family to create a community around each person’s goals​. This mix of AI-driven coaching and real social support gave people a uniquely holistic system for staying on track. In hindsight, Hew.ai foreshadowed many of today’s AI health and wellness tools​. It proved that AI could do more than automate – it could understand individuals deeply, adapt to their needs, and amplify genuine human connection in the process​.