HelloBetter launches Ello, a personal AI companion

Paris, November 25, 2025 – HelloBetter, one of the world's leading providers of evidence-based mental health care, introduces Ello, a new AI-powered companion for mental and emotional well-being. Developed by a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, researchers, and data scientists, Ello is designed to support people navigating everyday challenges including stress, poor sleep, rumination, and relationship conflicts. The official launch takes place on November 25 at the Adopt AI International Summit in Paris.

Designed for conversation, not quick answers

Unlike general-purpose AI (gen-AI) chatbots that provide ready-made answers or quick tips, to satisfy, please or resolve queries, Ello is designed for genuine conversation.  Ello is grounded in psychological conversation techniques and evidence-based interventions. It helps people understand more precisely what is troubling them when they talk about their emotions. 

The app encourages self-reflection, reveals patterns that users might not see on their own, and gently suggests strategies that can be implemented independently in everyday life. Ello is not designed for therapeutic use and does not make diagnoses. Think of it as a psychologically informed companion for working through life's friction points.

Why a specialized AI companion like Ello is necessary

Gen-AI chatbots are increasingly becoming the confidant of choice, often without any safeguards around response quality, safety or ethical boundaries. Younger generations are particularly vulnerable: according to a survey conducted by HelloBetter, 12 percent of Gen Z already use chatbots such as ChatGPT to discuss worries or everyday stress, while another 54 percent say they would be willing to try it. 

These chatbots were not built for this purpose. They can hallucinate facts, uncritically validate dysfunctional thought patterns instead of questioning them, overlook warning signs, and dispense advice that sounds plausible but may be actively harmful. 

Ello was developed specifically to address these risks. The app is built on evidence-based conversational methods and provides scientifically grounded guidance for everyday life. It is designed from the ground up to be psychologically responsible.

Human-in-the-loop: Supervision by psychologists ensures quality

Ello is the first personal AI application for mental and emotional well-being with a human-in-the-loop concept: users can contact a psychologist directly. Integrated safety mechanisms recognize acute crisis situations and ensure immediate support is provided when necessary. Ongoing development is guided by psychotherapists working continuously with data scientists to refine the product, ensuring it can be the most effective conversation partner and deliver the responses each person needs in the moment.

All data is processed in accordance with the provisions of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and protected in accordance with the stringent requirements set by Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) for prescription digital health applications (DiGA). The solution thus meets elevated standards for confidentiality and security. The server infrastructure complies with the rigorous security requirements of Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the relevant ISO standards for digital medical devices seeking reimbursement by statutory health insurers. 

Ello itself is not a medical device and is not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, prediction, prognosis, treatment, or alleviation of diseases.