Cancun, Mexico, August 24, 2023.– In a concerted effort to address the mental health crisis in Latin America, Yana, the innovative Mexican startup, announces the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) within its platform, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history.
With this integration, Yana has amplified its ability to comprehend and serve each of its users exceptionally. AI enriches interactions by offering personalized advice and emotional support in real time, adapting to the individual needs of each person and addressing their unique challenges. This new phase further empowers Yana’s capability to deliver highly effective emotional support, while steadfastly maintaining its role as a valuable complement rather than a replacement for professional help.
Yana was founded in 2016 by Andrea Campos, who was inspired by her own struggle with depression and lack of access to emotional support. After being unable to find an app or digital platform that provided the support she needed, Andrea envisioned a platform where she could manage her own depression. Today, Yana provides service in more than 35 countries and has become the emotional support system for more than 13 million people.
Since late 2022, Generative AI has captured not only Andrea’s imagination but also that of countless entrepreneurs aiming to solve large-scale problems. Established startups, however, hold a significant edge over newcomers: access to data. Yana’s accumulated record of more than 2 billion conversations with users over the years has allowed it to train models that not only enhance intelligence but also ensure greater safety compared to similar platforms.
In July, Yana launched its GPT-powered chatbot in a private beta, and initial results in participation, interaction, and overall app usage exceeded all expectations. This led to the oficial launch of a free version of Yana AI on August 4, although it will become a paid platform in the near future. Following the integration, the number of weekly downloads doubled, the number of messages received increased by 1,900%, and, as a result, Yana achieved retention levels, measured on the first, third, and seventh day of use, that exceed industry averages for mental health apps.
In Latin America, mental disorders affect approximately 20% of the population, according to the World Health Organization. According to a study by the Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz National Institute of Psychiatry, in Mexico, about 16% of the Mexican population (approximately 21 million people) suffer from a mental illness, with depression and anxiety being the most common disorders. However, access to mental health services remains very limited, especially among vulnerable populations. A report by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) indicates that Mexico has only 2.2 mental health professionals per 100,000 people.
Yana is backed by Jimena Pardo, managing partner at ALLVP, Latin America’s leading VC focused on Artificial Intelligence. “The best generative AI applications don’t just come from technical founders, but from those who have spent time on a problem and created an exceptional user experience based on extensive data sets. I am extremely optimistic about Yana’s next chapter,” Jimena said.
This remarkable progress marks just the beginning for the young Cancun-based startup. Generative AI has not only strengthened Yana, but will also allow its unique application to transcend language barriers and reach audiences around the world in the short term.
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About YANA
Yana is a Mexican startup that seeks to transform access to mental health by harnessing the power of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its chatbot. Founded in 2016 by Andrea Campos, Yana has become the leading platform for emotional support in Latin America, with more than 13 million registered users who receive personalized support 24 hours a day. Over time, these interactions have accumulated to more than 2 billion conversations.
Their most recent and exciting achievement is the integration of AI, which allows them to anticipate and cater to users’ emotional needs through a safe and enriching experience.
For more information, visit www.yana.com.mx.
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Tania Rojas
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