Name: Dr. Alison Darcy
Role:
Founder and President of Woebot Health; Clinical Research Psychologist; Health Tech Visionary.
Net Worth:
As of March 2025, Alison Darcy’s net worth is estimated at $15 million.
Profile Overview:
Alison Darcy is an Irish-American clinical research psychologist, technologist, and entrepreneur renowned for revolutionizing mental health care through artificial intelligence (AI). As the founder and president of Woebot Health, Darcy introduced Woebot—the world’s first scientifically-informed mental health chatbot—to provide accessible and scalable therapeutic support. Her work combines psychology and technology to address barriers to mental health care, earning her recognition as one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI (2023). Darcy’s groundbreaking contributions have established her as a leader in digital therapeutics and AI-powered mental health solutions.
Bio:
Alison Darcy was born in Ireland and earned her Bachelor’s degree (1999), Master’s degree (2005), and Ph.D. (2007) in Psychology from University College Dublin (UCD). Early in her career, she worked as a software developer in London before transitioning to psychology. She created one of the first online support networks for people with eating disorders during the dot-com era, which inspired her to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology.
After completing her Ph.D., Darcy moved to the United States for postdoctoral training at Stanford University School of Medicine. At Stanford, she collaborated with AI pioneer Andrew Ng and led his Health Innovation Lab. Her research focused on integrating AI into mental health care to bridge gaps between inpatient treatment and real-world application.
In 2017, Darcy founded Woebot Health with a team of psychologists and AI experts. Woebot uses principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to offer emotional support via an engaging chatbot interface. By 2023, Woebot had served over 1.5 million users globally and raised $123.5 million in funding. Darcy continues to advocate for ethical AI practices and accessible mental health care solutions.
Alison Darcy’s Role in Artificial Intelligence:
Alison Darcy is a trailblazer in applying AI to mental health care. Her creation, Woebot, functions as an emotional assistant that combines humor, compassion, and therapeutic techniques to help users manage anxiety, depression, and other challenges. Woebot leverages CBT principles alongside cutting-edge AI algorithms to deliver personalized support while maintaining user privacy.
Darcy has also established rigorous practices for clinical trials and studies on digital therapeutics, making Woebot Health the most cited company in peer-reviewed literature on digital mental health interventions. Her work emphasizes the ethical use of AI to democratize access to therapy.
Nationality:
Irish-American
Age:
Approximately 47 years old (as of March 21, 2025).
Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Psychology from University College Dublin (1999).
- Master’s Degree: MLitt in Psychology from University College Dublin (2005).
- Ph.D.: Clinical Psychology from University College Dublin (2007).
Sources of Wealth:
- Woebot Health: Founder and President; raised $123.5 million in funding.
- Stanford University: Adjunct Faculty member in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
- Research Grants: Awarded funding from NIH, Davis Foundation, and APA.
- Speaking Engagements & Recognition: Named TIME100 Most Influential People in AI (2023); recipient of the UCD Alumni Award in Social Sciences.
- Digital Therapeutics Innovations: Revenue from partnerships with healthcare organizations.
Random Fact:
Alison Darcy describes Woebot as a blend of Spock’s logic-driven personality, Kermit the Frog’s insightfulness, and her late friend Eric Bayer’s compassion—creating a chatbot with both therapeutic value and emotional relatability.
Alison Darcy’s career exemplifies her dedication to transforming mental health care through innovative AI solutions while championing accessibility and ethical practices globally. Her leadership at Woebot Health continues to redefine how technology can support emotional well-being.
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