A Seattle-based artificial intelligence company has launched a program designed to support individuals experiencing or concerned about cognitive decline, using AI-powered conversation and mental exercises.
NewDays AI, led by CEO Babak Parviz, has developed technology that employs neuropsychological methods to help maintain cognitive function through regular mental stimulation. Parviz, whose background includes leadership roles at major technology companies including serving as a vice president at Amazon and founding Google Glass, said recent advances in AI capabilities have made this application possible.
“In best cases, we can push back the symptoms of the disease,” Parviz explained. “And I think that’s really important because people really care about their ability to remember things, people really care about their ability to reason.”
The CEO emphasized that the technology required to create this type of intervention simply did not exist until recently. Advances in natural language processing and conversational AI over the past few years have enabled more sophisticated interactions that can adapt to individual users and deliver personalized cognitive exercises.
“But more recently, we went through an inflection point in the ability of the technology to do things that are very powerful, very new, so now we can actually deploy it,” Parviz said.
The program centers on an AI assistant named Sunny that conducts verbal interactions with users, asking questions and presenting cognitive challenges designed to keep minds engaged. Examples include prompts like “what was a recent moment that made you smile?” or exercises such as “I’ll say two simple words and your job is to remember those words and make a sentence or two with them.”
These interactions draw from neuropsychological approaches validated through clinical research. Parviz described the methods as based on “gold standard” clinical trials that have demonstrated effectiveness in supporting cognitive health.
The company has adapted these research-backed techniques for delivery through a combination of artificial intelligence and human support, creating a model Parviz compared to physical therapy for the mind.
“We transitioned that to be delivered mostly by artificial intelligence and partly by human connections,” he said. “The same way that maybe you have a knee pain and go see a therapist and go to personalized sessions over time and get better, this is the equivalent for cognition.”
NewDays AI has launched its program in four states: Washington, California, Florida, and Texas. This initial rollout allows the company to serve diverse populations while managing growth as they refine the technology and gather user feedback.
The potential market for cognitive health interventions is substantial. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates more than 7 million Americans currently live with the disease, a number expected to grow significantly as the population ages. Beyond diagnosed cases, Parviz noted that one in three Americans over 65 report serious cognitive concerns, representing a much larger group seeking support.
“This is a poster child of the good we can do with this new generation of AI,” Parviz said, positioning the technology as an example of beneficial applications for advanced artificial intelligence systems.
The company reports positive early results from users. According to NewDays AI, 100 percent of customers report feeling better or significantly better after using the program, with an average satisfaction rating of 4.5 out of 5. These self-reported outcomes suggest users perceive value from the intervention, though the company has not released data on objective cognitive measurements or clinical validations.
The emergence of AI-based cognitive health tools represents a growing category within digital health. Companies are exploring how conversational AI, personalized content delivery, and adaptive algorithms can support various aspects of mental and cognitive wellness.
Unlike traditional cognitive training programs that often involve repetitive computer games or exercises, conversational AI allows for more natural, varied interactions that can feel less clinical and more engaging. The technology can potentially reduce barriers to consistent use by making sessions feel more like conversations than medical interventions.
The hybrid model combining AI delivery with human connection addresses a common concern about purely automated health interventions. While AI can provide scalable, consistent cognitive exercises, human touchpoints may help with motivation, accountability, and emotional support that purely algorithmic systems cannot easily replicate.
Questions remain about long-term effectiveness and the program’s ability to produce measurable improvements in cognitive function beyond user satisfaction. Clinical validation through peer-reviewed research would strengthen claims about the intervention’s efficacy in slowing cognitive decline or maintaining function.
The startup’s Seattle location places it within a technology ecosystem known for both AI development and healthcare innovation. The region’s concentration of tech talent, research institutions, and healthcare organizations provides resources for companies developing digital health solutions.
As artificial intelligence capabilities continue advancing, applications in healthcare and cognitive support are likely to expand. The key challenge for developers will be demonstrating that these tools produce meaningful health outcomes, not just user engagement or satisfaction metrics.
For families dealing with cognitive decline, any tool that might help maintain function or slow progression deserves consideration. The accessibility of an AI-based program, potentially usable from home without specialized equipment or clinic visits, could make cognitive support more available to people who might not otherwise access it.
