Engaging Older Australians in Co-Designing An AI App for Grief – Grief Guide, Your 3am Friend
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.
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).
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
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.
Grief is deeply human, and nothing will ever replace real human connection. However, technology can offer companionship in lonely moments, access to tailored resources, and opportunities to express and process emotions when family, friends, or professionals aren’t immediately available. Especially for older Australians, who might face barriers like physical distance, mobility challenges, or shrinking social circles, having an additional layer of support — whether it’s an empathetic AI guide, storytelling apps, peer groups online, or grief education tools — can make a real difference.
Technology can become a bridge — not a replacement — for the human touch we all need during grief.
Our project explores how AI technology can provide grief support for older Australians by addressing four key challenges:
- Support Gap
With nearly half of palliative and aged care workers reporting frequent exhaustion, there simply aren’t enough people available to help older Australians navigate grief. Grief Guide complements existing services with scalable, always-available support tailored to individual needs.
- Death-Avoidant Culture
While 87% of Australians recognise the importance of end-of-life planning, only 35% take action. Grief Guide provides a judgment-free space to practice difficult conversations and approach planning proactively.
- Technology Awareness
Many remain unaware of technological grief support tools and their benefits. We’re working to normalise and integrate digital grief support with traditional services.
- Breaking Age Stereotypes
The belief that older people don’t use technology is outdated. Post-pandemic, most older Australians engage comfortably with digital tools. Grief Guide aims to be accessible and supportive for users of all technical abilities.
Funding/Grants:
A philanthropic Grant from the Wicking Trust, managed by Equity Trustees, supports funding over the next three years for 20 collaborations dedicated to reshaping the way Australians experience death and grieving.
Project Team: 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
Research Team – Project Managers
Interested in learning more about how you can get involved in this project?
Email the research team now
Project Dates: May 2025- May 2027