HarmonyAI: A Privacy-Centric Mental Health Chatbot - Advancing Artificial Intelligence on Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Bharath Ramesh

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

bharath882003@gmail.com

Additional applicants

Sam Jeff

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

8

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Project will be fully open source

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

dApp

[METADATA] SDG rating

N/A

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

A decentralized framework is key to build next-gen edge AI that enables model efficacy while making it safer and secure - both user data and model parameters are only accessible to the end-user. This proposal is an application of our independent research work, in which we created a proof-of-concept decentralized framework to train and deploy AI models on the Ethereum blockchain. Our project will be integrated with Cardano for faster, cheaper, and more secure transactions.

HarmonyAI aims to address the challenges of timely support and limited availability of mental health professionals by leveraging advanced federated learning technologies on the Cardano blockchain. Our solution provides a private and always-available decentralized application (DApp) in the form of a chat bot, offering convenient and confidential mental health support to users.

By utilizing federated learning, HarmonyAI ensures the privacy and security of user data while enabling continuous learning and improvement of the chat bot's responses. This approach allows for personalized and effective support, even in the absence of direct human intervention.

Our project will engage mental health professionals, data scientists, and blockchain experts to develop and deploy the HarmonyAI infrastructure. We will collaborate with mental health organizations and communities to gather valuable insights and ensure the relevance and effectiveness of our solution.

The unique aspect of HarmonyAI is its integration of advanced technologies with the decentralized nature of Cardano. This combination enables scalable and secure mental health support, providing accessibility to individuals worldwide. By leveraging Cardano's ecosystem, we contribute to the growth and adoption of blockchain solutions for real-world applications, emphasizing the importance of privacy, data sovereignty, and innovation in the Cardano community.

Our framework seamlessly integrates state-of-the-art deep learning models and serves as a good benchmark for blockchain-AI developers. Please read the papers to get more information about the literature and how our work is novel and different to existing work. It has two modes of operations as explained on the Github page. The python script interacts with the blockchain and the IPFS without needing a Solidity interface. This work was detailed in two publications at IEEE Blockchain and Beyond conference last year November. The future work will address practical real-world considerations while porting to the Cardano blockchain - first via sidechain feasibility and next via native Plutus implementation.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

HarmonyAI directly addresses the challenge of timely mental health support and limited availability of professionals by providing a decentralized and always-available DApp using advanced federated learning on the Cardano blockchain. Our solution aligns with the challenge's aim of leveraging blockchain technology to improve mental health services and accessibility.

The project will bring several benefits to the Cardano ecosystem. Firstly, it will showcase the potential of Cardano in addressing real-world challenges, demonstrating the platform's capabilities beyond financial applications. This will attract new users and developers to the ecosystem, fostering its growth and expanding its reach.

Furthermore, HarmonyAI will contribute to the overall strength of the Cardano community by promoting the use of decentralized technologies for social impact. By providing accessible and confidential mental health support, the project will help individuals worldwide, encouraging them to engage with the Cardano ecosystem and foster a sense of trust and inclusivity.

In terms of impact, we anticipate that HarmonyAI will attract a significant number of users seeking mental health support, as accessibility and privacy are critical concerns in this domain. While specific usage and transaction numbers are difficult to quantify at this stage, we aim to achieve a meaningful user base within a reasonable timeframe. This will contribute to the broader adoption of Cardano, highlight its potential for addressing societal challenges, and reinforce the ecosystem's value proposition.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

The success of HarmonyAI will be measured through a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics. Firstly, we will track the number of users who utilize the platform for mental health support, providing insights into the reach and adoption of the DApp within the Cardano ecosystem. Additionally, we will monitor user satisfaction and feedback through surveys and user reviews, capturing qualitative indicators of the platform's effectiveness and impact.

In terms of benefits to the Cardano ecosystem, we expect to see increased user engagement and community participation as individuals recognize the value of decentralized mental health support. This will contribute to the ecosystem's growth and productivity, attracting new users and developers who are passionate about social impact initiatives. The availability of HarmonyAI will also serve as a compelling use case for Cardano's blockchain infrastructure, highlighting its scalability, privacy features, and potential in the healthcare sector.

In the long term, the innovation brought by HarmonyAI can have a transformative effect on Cardano's productivity and growth. By establishing a reputation as a platform that supports not only financial applications but also crucial social services, Cardano will differentiate itself from other blockchain networks. This differentiation can attract partnerships with healthcare organizations, governments, and non-profit entities, further expanding the ecosystem's reach and influence.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

1. Regular Updates: We will provide frequent progress updates and milestone achievements on our website and social media channels, ensuring transparency and keeping the Cardano community informed.
2. Community Engagement: We will actively engage with mental health organizations, blockchain enthusiasts, and technology forums to share our findings and raise awareness about the project's impact and opportunities.
3. Partnerships and Collaborations: We will form partnerships with mental health professionals, academic institutions, and research organizations to extend the reach of our project and contribute to the field of mental health support using federated learning and blockchain technologies.
4. Knowledge Dissemination: We will present our findings at conferences, workshops, and industry events, fostering knowledge exchange and inspiring further research and development activities.
5. Future Research and Development: The results generated from HarmonyAI will serve as a foundation for future endeavors, allowing us to refine the platform, expand its use cases, and contribute to advancements in privacy-preserving machine learning within the Cardano ecosystem.

By following these strategies, we aim to maximize the impact of HarmonyAI, promote knowledge sharing, and contribute to the growth and innovation of the Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Our team consists of highly skilled professionals with expertise in relevant fields, ensuring our capability to deliver the HarmonyAI project with high levels of trust and accountability.

Technical Expertise of the team in handling blockchain application. Sam Jeffrey M, our CTO and Tech Lead, brings extensive experience in blockchain development and has successfully led projects in the past. His proficiency in software engineering and expertise in decentralized technologies make him well-equipped to drive the technical aspects of HarmonyAI.

Academic Excellence and collaborations with universities in Singapore and Australia. Dr. Bharath Ramesh has a strong background in AI and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things). His recent publication on "A Trustless Federated Framework for Decentralized and Confidential Deep Learning" demonstrates his expertise in applying federated learning to decentralized systems, which is directly relevant to the HarmonyAI proposal. Additionally, Dr. Ramesh has also been actively involved in the blockchain space, contributing to research and development efforts in the field

Our team has a proven track record of delivering successful projects in their respective domains (Fetachain - Cardano IIoT Framework in F9 was our latest).

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The main goals for the HarmonyAI project are as follows:

1. Develop a Private and Scalable Chat Bot Infrastructure: Our goal is to build a robust and scalable chat bot infrastructure on the Cardano blockchain. We will implement advanced federated learning techniques to ensure privacy and confidentiality in mental health applications.
2. Seamless Integration of Federated Learning Technologies: We aim to seamlessly integrate federated learning technologies into the chat bot infrastructure. This will enable the utilization of distributed data from multiple sources while maintaining data privacy and security.
3. Timely and Always-Available Support: Our objective is to address the problem of limited availability of mental health professionals by providing a private and always-available DApp. Users will have access to timely support and guidance through the HarmonyAI chat bot.
4. Validation and Feasibility: We will validate the feasibility of our approach through rigorous testing and evaluation. This will involve assessing the performance and accuracy of the chat bot, ensuring efficient utilization of federated learning techniques, and obtaining user feedback on the effectiveness of the mental health support provided.

To measure the achievement of these goals, we will consider both quantitative and qualitative factors. Quantitatively, we will track metrics such as user engagement, number of successful interactions, and growth in user base. Qualitatively, we will seek feedback from users to evaluate their satisfaction with the support received and the overall user experience.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Infrastructure Development

• Tasks: Develop the private and scalable chat bot infrastructure on the Cardano blockchain, integrating federated learning technologies.
• Timeline: 2 months

Success Criteria: Completion of the chat bot infrastructure with federated learning capabilities.

Projected Cost: 35,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Chat Bot Implementation

• Tasks: Implement the chat bot functionality, including natural language processing and mental health support features.
• Timeline: 2 months

Success Criteria: Fully functional chat bot capable of providing timely and relevant mental health support.

Projected Cost: 40,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Performance Testing and Optimization

• Tasks: Conduct rigorous testing and optimization of the chat bot's performance, accuracy, and privacy measures.
• Timeline: 2 months

Success Criteria: High-performance chat bot with accurate responses and effective privacy measures.

Projected Cost: 22,000 ADA

Milestone 4: User Feedback and Iterative Improvements

• Tasks: Gather user feedback and iterate on the chat bot's features and user experience based on the received feedback.
• Timeline: 1 month

Success Criteria: Positive user feedback on the effectiveness and usability of the chat bot.

Projected Cost: 10,000 ADA

Milestone 5: Project Documentation and Reporting

• Tasks: Prepare comprehensive documentation of the project, including technical specifications, user guides, and project reports.
• Timeline: 1 month

Success Criteria: Complete project documentation ready for dissemination.

Projected Cost: 5,000 ADA

Regular updates and reports will be shared with the community and stakeholders to provide visibility into the project's progress and outcomes.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Infrastructure Development

• Deliverables: Private and scalable chat bot infrastructure on the Cardano blockchain with integrated federated learning technologies.
• Outputs: Completed infrastructure codebase, documentation of the infrastructure setup and configuration.
• Intended Outcomes: Establishment of a robust and secure foundation for the HarmonyAI chat bot application.
• Measurement: Completion of infrastructure development tasks, successful integration of federated learning technologies, and documentation of the infrastructure setup.

Milestone 2: Chat Bot Implementation

• Deliverables: Fully functional chat bot with natural language processing and mental health support features.
• Outputs: Developed chat bot application, trained machine learning models for NLP, user interface design.
• Intended Outcomes: Availability of an advanced chat bot capable of providing timely and relevant mental health support.
• Measurement: Completion of chat bot development tasks, successful integration of NLP capabilities, positive user feedback on the chat bot's functionality and effectiveness.

Milestone 3: Performance Testing and Optimization

• Deliverables: Optimized chat bot performance, improved accuracy, and enhanced privacy measures.
• Outputs: Performance testing reports, optimized machine learning models, privacy-enhancing measures implemented.
• Intended Outcomes: High-performance chat bot with accurate responses and strong privacy protections.
• Measurement: Successful performance testing and optimization, improved response accuracy, and validation of privacy measures.

Milestone 4: User Feedback and Iterative Improvements

• Deliverables: User feedback analysis, updated chat bot features and user experience improvements.
• Outputs: User feedback reports, updated chat bot application with enhanced features.
• Intended Outcomes: Continuous improvement of the chat bot based on user feedback, enhanced user satisfaction and engagement.
• Measurement: Positive user feedback on the chat bot's usability, effectiveness, and responsiveness, incorporation of user suggestions and improvement metrics.

Milestone 5: Project Documentation and Reporting

• Deliverables: Comprehensive project documentation, technical specifications, user guides, project reports.
• Outputs: Documented project details, technical specifications, user guides, final project report.
• Intended Outcomes: Clear documentation of the project's development process, outcomes, and future recommendations.
• Measurement: Completion of project documentation, availability of technical specifications, user guides, and dissemination of the final project report.

The progress of the project will be tracked based on the completion of tasks and milestones within the specified timeline. Additionally, user feedback and engagement metrics will be monitored to assess the effectiveness and user satisfaction with the chat bot. Regular progress reports and updates will be shared with the community to ensure transparency and accountability.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Milestone 1: Infrastructure Development

• Development of private and scalable chat bot infrastructure: 20,000 ADA
• Integration of federated learning technologies: 15,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Chat Bot Implementation

• Chat bot functionality implementation: 12,000 ADA
• Natural language processing integration: 8,000 ADA
• Mental health support features implementation: 20,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Performance Testing and Optimization

• Performance testing of the chat bot: 6,000 ADA
• Accuracy improvement and optimization: 4,000 ADA
• Privacy measures enhancement: 12,000 ADA

Milestone 4: User Feedback and Iterative Improvements

• User feedback gathering and analysis: 4,000 ADA
• Iterative improvements based on feedback: 4,000 ADA
• Usability and user experience enhancements: 2,000 ADA

Milestone 5: Project Documentation and Reporting

• Preparation of technical specifications documentation: 2,000 ADA
• Creation of user guides and manuals: 1,500 ADA
• Compilation of project reports: 1,500 ADA

The above budget includes a contingency Fund of 12,000 ADA (10% of total budget) 

Total Budget: 112,000 ADA

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the project has been carefully considered to ensure value for money for the Cardano ecosystem. We understand the importance of utilizing resources efficiently while delivering a high-quality solution. Here's how the costs have been determined and how they represent value for money:

1. Infrastructure Development: The projected cost for this milestone is 35,000 ADA. This includes the development of a private and scalable chat bot infrastructure on the Cardano blockchain, integrating federated learning technologies. The cost is based on a comprehensive assessment of the required technical resources, development time, and the expertise needed to build a robust and scalable infrastructure.
2. Chat Bot Implementation: The projected cost for this milestone is 40,000 ADA. It covers the implementation of the chat bot functionality, including natural language processing and mental health support features. The cost reflects the effort required for AI implementation, feature development, testing, and refinement. It is based on an evaluation of similar AI projects and the expertise needed to ensure the chat bot's effectiveness and usability.
3. Performance Testing and Optimization: The projected cost for this milestone is 22,000 ADA. It accounts for the rigorous testing and optimization of the chat bot's performance, accuracy, and privacy measures. The cost is justified by the need for extensive testing and optimization iterations to ensure a high-performance chat bot that meets user expectations and maintains privacy standards.
4. User Feedback and Iterative Improvements: The projected cost for this milestone is 10,000 ADA. It includes gathering user feedback and iterating on the chat bot's features and user experience based on the received feedback. The cost represents the resources required for user engagement, feedback analysis, and iterative development to enhance the chat bot's effectiveness and user satisfaction.
5. Project Documentation and Reporting: The projected cost for this milestone is 5,000 ADA. It covers the preparation of comprehensive documentation, technical specifications, user guides, and project reports. The cost reflects the time and effort needed to document the project's details and outcomes effectively, ensuring transparency and facilitating further research and development activities.

The costs have been carefully estimated based on a combination of factors, including the complexity of the tasks, the expertise required, industry benchmarks, and the expected deliverables. We have taken into account the average wage rates, freelance rates, and the value of the skills and experience of our team members, ensuring that the costs align with the value provided by the project.

Overall, the cost of the project represents value for money by leveraging the expertise of our team, delivering tangible outcomes aligned with the goals of the Cardano ecosystem, and utilizing resources efficiently to create a robust and scalable mental health support solution.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept