Scientists from the University of East Anglia have proven that an artificial intelligence mobile app can help you quit smoking. The research was published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.
The authors noted that attempts to quit have failed because the desire to smoke is associated with being in places where people used to smoke—for example, in a bar or at work.
Scientists developed the Quit Sense application with artificial intelligence. It analyzes at what times, in which places and situations the person wants to smoke. It then displays messages on users’ screen when they find themselves in a “dangerous” situation.
The clinical study involved 209 smokers recruited via social media. All participants received a link to the online NHS quit campaign, but only half also received the Quit Sense app.
Compared with other participants, four times as many people who used the app were able to quit after six months. Half of the quitters confirmed their success by submitting saliva for analysis.
Scientists hope that financial incentives and behavioral support will help reduce smoking-related diseases.