Why it matters
Every minute, 266 babies are born, and 108 people die. While we celebrate births, little attention is given to the challenges of death and grief, even though these are experiences we will all face. Many older Australians are unprepared for the emotional and practical burdens that come with loss, and friends and family may struggle to provide the support needed. In response to this gap, we have developed Grief Guide [Your 3am Friend] an AI-powered digital app to offer compassionate, practical support during grief.
Grief Guide leverages AI technology to engage users in therapeutic conversations using advanced algorithms and natural language processing to create real-time, empathetic interactions. The app offers personalised advice and guidance, available when it is needed most, especially during late-night hours when traditional support may not be accessible. Grief Guide provides a safe space for users to process their emotions and practice conversations. It can also assist with things like funeral planning and legal matters, directing users to the right resources. It also supports users in re-imagining life after loss, helping them adjust to new routines, like cooking for one, and offering guidance on moving forward while honoring their loved one’s memory.
Project Overview
This project tests the value proposition of AI in grief, through co-design workshops, pilot testing, and accessible resources (e.g., video tutorials, easy-to-follow guides, user experiences). Key to our approach is arts-based knowledge translation methods to engage people with AI: we will use digital storytelling to enable people to share grief experiences (enhancing death literacy) and document their experiences with the AI app (addressing concerns re technology’s role in grief).
We will explore the viability and acceptability of technology, specifically an AI app, to provide grief support for older Australians. There is a lack of accessible, continuous, and empathetic support for people experiencing grief, especially older Australians nearing the end of life.
Funding/Grants:
A philanthropic Grant from the Wicking Trust, managed by Equity Trustees, announced the funding over the next three years for 20 collaborations dedicated to reshaping the way Australians experience death and grieving.
Project Team
Project Chief Investigators
- Professor Evonne Miller
- Simon Lowe
- Professor Glenda Amayo Caldwell
- Professor Natalie Bradford
- Professor Lisa Scharoun
- Dr Heather McKinnon
- Professor Selena Bartlett
- Professor Sarah Holland-Batt
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Research Team
- Leonie Sanderson
- Dr Abbe Winter
External Partners:
- Palliative Care Queensland
- Council on the Ageing Queensland
- Cancer Council Queensland
- Australian Association of Gerontology
- Legacy Brisbane
- Older Women’s Network (NSW)
- Rockpool (Residential Aged Care)
- Good Death Impact Network
- Death Literacy Institute
Additional Resources
Further Readings
Evonne Miller & Debra Polson (2019) Apps, Avatars, and Robots:The Future of Mental Healthcare, Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 40:3, 208-214, DOI:10.1080/01612840.2018.1524535
Macalupu, V., Miller, E., Martin, L. et al. Human–robot interactions and experiences of staff and service robots in aged care. Sci Rep 15, 2495 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86255-w
Getting dead set: an overview of Australian attitudes and behaviours around death, dying and end of life planning.(2022) The Groundswell Project https://diealoguecafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cf6b7-gettingdeadset-anoverviewofaustralianattitudesandbehavioursarounddeath2cdyingandend-of-lifeplanning-august2022_3.pdf
Ethical AI Support – Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Grief Guide replace therapy with a human professional?
No. Grief Guide is designed to complement, not replace, professional therapy. While AI can provide accessibility when traditional support is unavailable (like at 3am when you’re feeling low), it doesn’t provide the human connection, emotional depth, and nonverbal understanding that trained therapists offer. Think of Grief Guide as a supportive tool between therapy sessions or when immediate human support isn’t available. Technology can support older Australians — and all of us — through grief, but only if it’s designed thoughtfully.
- What ethical guidelines govern Grief Guide’s development?
Grief Guide adheres to QUT’s position statement on responsible AI use, which aligns with the QUT Research Code and Australian Code for responsible research conduct. As of September 2024, QUT also follow the Australian Government’s Policy for responsible AI use in Government. These frameworks ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical considerations throughout development.
- How does Grief Guide protect vulnerable users, especially older adults?
We aim to prioritise dignity, agency, and safety through several approaches: clear consent protocols that explain data use in accessible language; design features that accommodate varying digital literacy levels; and co-design sessions with older adults as equal partners in the development process as well as academics, palliative care experts and ageing advocates. These priorities will be part of the research approach.
- What are the benefits of using AI for grief support?
AI grief support offers several unique benefits: 24/7 accessibility without financial barriers; a judgment-free space to process emotions; structured support for decision-making and cognitive reframing; accessible psychoeducation; and assistance articulating complex feelings. For many users, especially those facing barriers to traditional support, these benefits provide valuable assistance during difficult times.
Project Dates: May 2025- May 2027
