Research & Studies
We believe products that support emotionally sensitive moments should be studied thoughtfully.
At Abby, research is part of how we evaluate what we are building, how people use it, and where the product may be genuinely helpful. Our goal is not just to build something people like using. It is to better understand how AI support tools can responsibly help people reflect, process everyday emotional challenges, and feel more supported in the moments life does not wait.
Why research matters to us
Abby sits in an area that deserves care, humility, and evidence.
When a product touches emotional well-being, personal reflection, and vulnerable moments, it should not be built on assumptions alone. Research helps us ask better questions about what is useful, what is safe, what is working, and where strong boundaries are needed.
It also helps us improve Abby in a way that is more disciplined, accountable, and grounded in real-world use.
What we study
Our research efforts may include areas such as:
- how people use Abby during everyday emotional challenges
- patterns in when and why people seek support
- whether users feel more clarity, relief, or understanding after using the product
- how memory, continuity, and personalization affect the experience over time
- how people engage with support in moments that do not fit neatly into traditional care models
- safety, escalation, and scope-related questions in emotionally sensitive conversations
- the role AI can play in helping people think out loud, reflect, and feel less alone
Our interest is not only in whether people engage with Abby, but in understanding what kind of support is actually meaningful and responsible in practice.
How research is reviewed
For formal studies and evaluations, we use research governance structures and IRB processes designed to support appropriate oversight, participant protections, and responsible study design.
This helps ensure that research involving Abby is conducted with rigor, ethics, and accountability — especially when the subject matter is personal or emotionally sensitive.
How research informs the product
Research is not separate from how we build. It helps shape:
- product direction
- safety decisions
- feature design
- evaluation methods
- the boundaries of Abby’s intended role
- the way we think about usefulness over time
We see research as part of responsible iteration — not just something published after the fact, but something that helps inform how the product evolves.
Our point of view
We believe there is a large gap between what people go through emotionally in everyday life and the support that is available in the moment they need it.
That gap is part of why Abby exists.
Research helps us better understand that reality: when people reach for support, what they are actually looking for, what helps them feel more clear or less alone, and how AI can play a responsible role without pretending to be something it is not.
Abby’s intended scope
Abby is designed for everyday emotional challenges, life stress, and problems of life. Abby is not a human and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Abby is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or clinical care.
Our research is shaped by that scope, and part of its purpose is to help us evaluate the product responsibly within those boundaries.
Looking ahead
As Abby evolves, we expect our research to evolve with it.
We are interested in building a growing body of work around how AI can support reflection, emotional clarity, and in-the-moment support — thoughtfully, safely, and with strong governance.
Our aim is not just to move quickly. It is to learn carefully.