Finding it hard to quit smoking? British researchers have developed a new smartphone app, Quit Sense, that may help you do just that. The app ws developed by the University of East Anglia and is the world’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) based stop smoking app. It is designed to detect locations where smokers are most likely to be triggered to light up and provides support to help them manage their triggers.
This is supported by the findings of a randomized controlled trial involving 209 smokers. These smokers were recruited by text message to access either the NHS online stop smoking support or the Quit Sense app. After six months, those using the app were four times more likely to quit smoking than those using only NHS support.
The app works by learning the times, locations and triggers of smokers’ previous smoking events. Based on this data, it displays messages to the user that help them manage urges as they happen. The research team hopes that this will increase the chance of successful quit attempts. However, further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of the app.
The development of this app is part of an ongoing effort of many technology companies to find innovative solutions to common problems. Microsoft Windows, for example, recently launched a Zero-Day bug fix, which addressed a vulnerability that was exploited by hackers. Similarly, many consumer electronics companies such as Xiaomi have launched products such as smart TVs, air purifiers and vacuum robots that are designed to aid users in making their homes smarter.
The research team behind Quit Sense is led by Professor Felix Naughton from the University of East Anglia’s School of Health Sciences. They are supported by Dr. Chloe Siegele-Brown from the University of Cambridge, who built the app. Together, they are determined to find effective ways to reduce smoking and to improve the lives of smokers.
