Semmi is a small practice that helps children deal with anger, fear and tension, using movement and body awareness rather than talk. Director Marijke Smit explains that therapists were motivated to wotk with AI in je bedrijf because they were spending a significant part of their time on reports that are mandatory, but rarely read.

Helping students and businesses

Through AI in je bedrijf, Semmi teamed up with UvA students from the Business Information Technology Management programme. Via intermediary Preneuz, the programme connects SMEs with students who build tailor-made AI solutions. The goal is twofold. Companies receive practical applications that fit their specific processes and students gain hands-on experience in real organisations.

Privacy regulations

At Semmi, students Laurens van Campen and Safouan Bolbaroud developed an AI-supported tool that records sessions, converts speech to text and automatically structures the information into reports that fit Semmi’s formats.  According to Van Campen, the students had to comply with strict privacy regulations. In spite of that challenge, they managed to find a solution that is now used on a daily basis and making a difference for the organisation.

Focus on children

A key design focus was giving therapists more calm during their therapy sessions with children. Van Campen saw that therapists often had intensive sessions with young children. And in these sessions, they wanted to focus on the children instead of dividing their attention to take notes.  Privacy and data protection were built in from the start. All participants must give consent for recordings, the tool does not store patient data and audio is deleted immediately after processing. The students deliberately chose European technology suppliers wherever possible.

Initially, staff were cautious about working with AI. But once they saw how it worked, they became very enthusiastic and want to use the tool as soon as possible. The reporting tool will be be introduced in September and is expected to make therapists’ work much easier.

The Trouw article shows what AI in je bedrijf aims to realise. It brings UvA students into direct collaboration with SMEs and care organisations and helps them create AI solutions that are close to practice, with strong attention to privacy and ethics. For Semmi, the result is clear. The AI tool takes care of reports so therapists can focus fully on their core task: helping children manage difficult emotions in a safe and supportive environment.