Amy Wu, Founder of Manifest, Shares Her Insights on AI’s Role in Tackling Loneliness
Amy Wu, the founder of the AI-driven mental health app Manifest, envisions a future where technology plays a key role in addressing the rising loneliness epidemic, particularly among Gen Z. She believes that AI-powered tools, such as her app, can provide meaningful support for people struggling with isolation and help create emotional connections in an increasingly disconnected world.
A Growing Loneliness Epidemic
According to Wu, loneliness has become a critical issue, especially for younger generations. A Cigna report revealed that 60% of adults report feelings of loneliness, with an even more concerning figure of 73% among people aged 18-22. Wu’s startup, Manifest, which recently raised $3.4 million in seed funding, aims to address these challenges.
As a Stanford graduate, Wu recalls her own struggles with loneliness during her university years. She felt the real world was overwhelming and that traditional education prepared her for work but not for emotional well-being. This inspired her to create Manifest, an app designed to help users build emotional resilience through brief but impactful wellness practices.
How Manifest Works
Manifest offers a simple yet engaging interface. Upon opening the app, users are met with prompts like “What’s on your mind?” or “What are you worried about?” After interacting with the app—whether through text or voice—Manifest’s AI mirrors the user’s language, providing personalized affirmations. These affirmations can also be transformed into audio meditations for further reflection.
For example, if someone feels disappointed about finishing last in a 5K race, the app might generate affirmations such as, “I strive to appreciate my progress, no matter how small.” This approach aims to help users feel validated and supported in their emotional journey, even though Manifest is not intended to replace professional mental health treatment.
Meeting Gen Z Where They Are
Wu’s goal with Manifest is to make wellness easily accessible for Gen Z, a generation that spends significant time on their devices. While some may find it counterintuitive to use technology to combat loneliness, Wu believes it’s essential to meet Gen Z in their digital spaces. She emphasizes that the app isn’t meant to replace social interaction but instead offers bite-sized moments of connection and grounding.
Wu explains, “We want to create a wellness app that feels effortless and enjoyable to use, so it doesn’t become another chore. We understand that telling Gen Z to go outside and socialize is a huge ask, so we aim to bring wellness to their digital world.”
Ethical Considerations and Safeguards
Mental health apps like Manifest face ethical challenges, especially when users bring up serious issues like self-harm. Wu points out that the app has built-in safeguards to redirect users to a suicide hotline when such topics arise. However, unlike other AI mental health startups, Manifest chooses not to engage in conversations around self-harm, as Wu believes it’s critical to seek professional medical help in those situations.
While some, like Alex Cardinell of Nomi AI, argue that AI should engage with users during their darkest moments, Wu takes a more cautious approach. She recognizes the limitations of AI and emphasizes that it is not a substitute for genuine mental health care.
Looking Ahead
Wu’s vision aligns with her belief that AI-driven mental health apps have the potential to become major players in addressing loneliness, but they must do so responsibly. As more startups in the wellness space emerge, the focus will need to remain on ethical practices and providing tools that genuinely support emotional well-being without overstepping their bounds.
