Cedars-Sinai utilizes Apple Vision Pro and AI to create mental health companion

Cedars-Sinai announced the launch of Xaia, a spatial-computing, AI-enabled virtual psychotherapy companion accessible on the Apple Vision Pro headset that aims to help people with anxiety, addiction, depression and pain management.

The healthcare system dubs the experience “generated reality,” which it defines as merging technology and therapy. 

Developed at the medical extended-reality lab at Cedars-Sinai, Xaia uses Apple Vision Pro’s mixed-reality environments to augment one’s emotional state using a tool kit of therapeutic techniques utilizing motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, relapse-prevention therapy and other modalities. 

The technology remembers and learns a patient’s behavior, “synthesizing past interactions to inform future ones,” in order to personalize each communication and establish continuity of care. 

Users can also perform AI-tailored meditations with Xaia, discussing aspirations and then meditating on them in an immersive environment. 

THE LARGER TREND

Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai has long been at the forefront of utilizing extended reality technology within the hospital setting. 

The healthcare system hosts vMed, a two-day conference that brings together medical extended reality stakeholders to discuss XR use in healthcare. 

Cedars is not the first to announce the use of the Apple Vision Pro in healthcare. 

Last week, diagnostic imaging and multimedia company Visage Imaging announced the launch of Visage Ease VP, an immersive imaging platform that can be used on Apple’s extended reality headset.