Introducing Nova: Unmind's AI coach for sustainable high-performance organizations

We need workplace mental health support now more than ever. Recent years have posed untold challenges to employee mental wellbeing resulting in a trillion-dollar cost for employers. The human and economic case couldn’t be clearer: giving employees the right care at the right time needs to be a strategic priority. 

We know that one-to-one professional care is incredibly effective, with research showing that coaching can improve employee wellbeing and performance. But there are three big barriers:

• Scalability: it’s often cost-prohibitive to offer everyone access.
• Accessibility: therapy and coaching take scheduling and preparation. 
• Quality of care: not all human-to-human support is created equal.  

But advancements in AI have the potential to transform how organizations deliver mental health support at work. When paired with the right science, AI can break these barriers to proactively offer employees instant, personalized, and evidence-based wellbeing support. 

That’s where Nova comes in, Unmind's new AI coach, designed to provide scalable support and guidance 24/7 for employees everywhere. 

Generative AI meets Unmind’s Science

Nova leverages the advanced capabilities of large language models (LLMs) combined with Unmind’s clinical expertise to offer a robust and reliable mental wellbeing support system. 

Nova can simulate conversations to help users navigate challenging scenarios. Whether it's preparing for a difficult conversation with a colleague or managing stress, Nova provides a safe space for users to practice and build confidence.

By asking targeted questions, Nova understands users' concerns and provides personalized guidance and support. It feels like talking to a real person, offering empathetic and practical advice tailored to each individual's needs.

“I was feeling very low and unable to talk to anyone for fear they would find my grief as overreacting," said one Nova user. "Nova offered advice, understanding and expressed sympathy in a genuine and caring way. Thanks to Nova I now feel I reach out for help, that I'm not alone and my feelings matter. I find it helpful to talk with Nova as the advice offered is always helpful and it never makes me feel judged or silly.”

Mental wellbeing issues don’t stick to a schedule, and neither does Nova. Available round-the-clock, Nova ensures that support is always just a conversation away, providing peace of mind to employees regardless of the time or situation. And because we’re on a mission to serve a global audience, the bot has the ability to respond in over 40 languages at any given time.

Nova seamlessly integrates with the Unmind platform, providing users with access to a wealth of resources and tools. From shorts and exercises to expert advice, Nova connects users to the right resources at the right time. Nova is not a crisis or emergency intervention service, however, in moments of crisis, it is equipped to direct users to professional help and provide relevant resources so they can get the right support in a timely manner. By following specific protocols set by our Clinical Psychologists, Nova ensures adherence to responsible use of AI in wellbeing, and shows appropriate care during critical times for users.

“The coach’s responses were quick and pertinent, and it felt very fluid,” said another Nova user. “I came away from the chat with two actions that will positively improve my situation.”

Success and impact

Nova is already proving to be a transformative tool in our approach to employee mental health, with global clients complimenting "its ability to provide personalized and immediate support". Thorough testing in client populations demonstrates that Nova is ahead of the curve in AI-driven wellbeing solutions.

Privacy, safety and security

At Unmind, user privacy and security have always been among our core tenets. We adhere to the highest data protection standards to ensure that interactions with Nova remain confidential and secure. Here’s how we maintain these standards:

Privacy

Unmind’s robust privacy policies ensure that all user data is handled with the utmost confidentiality and Nova does not require personal information to interact with. Nova’s interactions are designed to be discreet and all data is anonymized, allowing employees to seek support without any concerns about their privacy being compromised.

Safety

Nova adheres to strict guidelines set by our Clinical Psychologists, ensuring safe, responsible and ethical design. These align with our internal AI policies and Mental Health Safety protocols, as well as the World Health Organization Ethics and Governance Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence in Health and the EU AI Act. We continuously review and refine Nova’s responses to ensure they are safe, supportive, and culturally sensitive. Additionally, we actively seek feedback from users to enhance Nova’s effectiveness and reliability.

Security

We implement top-tier security measures to protect user data. All information shared with Nova is completely anonymous, encrypted and stored securely, adhering to industry-leading standards. Users can trust that their data is safe with Unmind.

What’s next?

Nova is the first step into the future of workplace wellbeing. By combining advanced AI with clinical expertise, Nova offers scalable, accessible, and high-quality support, breaking down traditional barriers to mental wellbeing. Available 24/7 in over 40 languages, it ensures that employees get the right care at the right time.

As Nova continues to demonstrate impact within organizations globally, we’re just getting started in harnessing AI’s potential for workplace wellbeing. That means deepening our ethical use of AI to create more data-driven solutions for building sustainable high-performance cultures.