MediaPsych 2025: KI gegen Depression bei Jugendlichen

At MediaPsych 2025 at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Korbinian had the opportunity to present the results of his master's thesis The thesis was completed at Munich University of Applied Sciences under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Markus Endres and is titled „AidMax – Chatbot Integration to Fight Teen Depression in Instagram“. Its goal is to use artificial intelligence to give young people in crisis new hope and greater mental resilience.

Insights from the Presentation

The presentation took place in one of the lecture halls at the University of Duisburg-Essen and was part of the scientific program of the MediaPsych conference. The large screen displayed AidMax’s distinctive pink design with the smiling mascot, a symbol of warmth, empathy and courage. Next to it was the title of the Master’s thesis, accompanied by the logo of Munich University of Applied Sciences. The image symbolized the connection between research, technology and psychological support.

During the presentation, Korbinian explained how AidMax combines empathetic AI with safe communication to offer young people a new form of support. He showed how the chatbot was integrated into Instagram to reach young people directly in an environment they already use. He also presented the different layers of the system, from its technical architecture and psychological design to its practical use in everyday life.

A particular highlight was the presentation of results from the anonymous chat dialogues, which illustrated AidMax’s natural and warm tone. They showed how the bot responds with understanding in difficult moments, uses simple language and helps build trust. The connection to a Telegram-based emergency network was also explained, which is activated when a user shows signs of acute suicidal risk. This hybrid concept combining AI and human support generated a great deal of interest among those attending.

Scientific Findings

Young people found the chatbot’s warm and clear tone particularly supportive.
Short, vivid responses helped build trust and a sense of closeness.
Männliche Nutzer bevorzugten eine etwas neutralere Ansprache, während andere Gruppen emotionale Wärme schätzten
Even users who remained silent and did not respond showed reactions that suggested emotional relief.

These findings show that AI does not have to feel cold or distant. With thoughtful design, it can offer hope, communicate understanding and contribute to the prevention of mental health crises.

The Future of AidMax

In the future, AidMax is planned to include a voice feature to make conversations feel even more natural and human. The system is also intended to be hosted locally within the EU to further strengthen data protection standards. Through partnerships with schools, social initiatives and cities, AidMax aims to become accessible to even more young people. The long-term goal is clear: No one should have to feel alone when they urgently need help.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the MediaPsych 2025 for the opportunity to present AidMax as an example of responsible AI in the field of mental health. Special thanks go to the Munich University of Applied Sciences and Prof. Dr. Markus Endres for the academic supervision and support of this project.

The Meaning Behind the Images

The conference photos capture the special atmosphere of the event. The first image shows a slide from the MediaPsych presentation featuring the green AidMax mascot giving a thumbs-up beside the presentation title, a friendly symbol of hope and courage. It also shows the presenter during the talk, focused and engaged in front of the pink screen with the AidMax logo. You can sense that this is not simply the presentation of a technical solution, but a project that truly comes from the heart.

Another image shows the materials prepared on the conference table: eco-friendly bamboo pens and stickers featuring ironic questions to ChatGPT, such as “Is this really a good idea, ChatGPT?” This scene gives the event a friendly and contemporary feel and reflects the open exchange between science, ethics and creativity in the use of artificial intelligence.

Finally, a selfie shows Korbinian after the presentation, visibly relieved and happy. The photo captures the positive energy and sense of pride he felt after having the opportunity to represent AidMax on an international stage.

Learn More About AidMax

Visit us at LinkedInto learn more about the project and follow us on Instagram.