Published on 1 November in JAMA Network Open, the breakthrough study tested three self-guided, smartphone programs—physical activity, mindfulness and sleep hygiene—in more than 1,200 university students who reported elevated distress.

Using a AI-enhanced adaptive trial design, the research team tested multiple interventions and rapidly identified which delivered the greatest benefits for individual students—cutting months off traditional clinical trial timelines.

Professor Sunil Gupta from Deakin’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Initiative said the study demonstrates the potential to personalize mental health care at scale.

“Our algorithm learns as it goes, sending each person to the treatments that show the most promise for them. This helps researchers quickly figure out which interventions will work best for that individual.