Derrick Hull: AI For Good: Purpose Built Foundation Models, April 29, 2026

Generative AI has been a watershed moment for digital technology. However, differences in design choices lead to very different kinds of behavior for this technology with important implications for human health and flourishing. Dr. Hull will discuss how curating the right pre-training data and aligning models during post-training to establish a foundation model for psychology promotes health along multiple dimensions. He reviews how human-centered AI can improve mental wellbeing, increase social health and connection, and vastly reduce safety errors. Although this technology is still in its infancy, there is promise of substantial benefits when it is designed to be prosocial and to prioritize human needs while buffering against human vulnerabilities.  Derrick Hull is a clinical psychologist and Clinical Lead at Slingshot AI, where he guides the development of the first AI foundation model for psychology. Previously, he led clinical R&D at Talkspace, and held innovation roles at Noom, Mindbloom, and Hero Journey Club. His research has been published in Nature, JAMA, and PNAS, with support from NIH grants. Across his career, Dr. Hull has focused on blending rigorous science with technology to expand access to effective, engaging mental health care.