How SATHI keeps you safe
Draft for review by our clinical psychologist and lawyer. Version 2026-10-15.
SATHI is an AI companion for emotional support. It is not a person, a therapist or an emergency service, and nobody watches conversations in real time.
What SATHI checks
- Every message goes through two independent checks before SATHI replies: a list of risk phrases in English, Spanish and Hindi, and a separate AI safety classifier that reads the message in context. Messages in other languages are translated for the check.
- If either check fails or times out while a risk phrase is present, SATHI treats the message as a possible crisis.
- Every reply is checked before you see it. SATHI never diagnoses, never advises on medication, never gives information about methods of self-harm, and never claims to be human.
When someone may be in danger
- For suicidal thoughts, self-harm, intent to hurt someone, a medical emergency, or someone else at risk, SATHI sends a short message written by a person, not by the AI, and shows free crisis lines right below it.
- In India these are Tele-MANAS, the national mental health helpline (14416 or 1-800-891-4416, free and 24/7), and the emergency number 112. Each has a Call button.
- A “Get support” button then stays at the top of the conversation. You can keep talking with SATHI, and the numbers come back if you mention danger again.
- SATHI cannot call anyone or send help. Calls are always made by you, from your own phone.
Honesty about being an AI
- SATHI introduces itself as an AI before you first use it, shows “AI companion” in every conversation, reminds you after 3 hours of continuous chat and after 7 or more days away, and always answers honestly if asked.
Age
- SATHI is for adults 18 and over. If someone tells us they're younger, SATHI shows them support lines, stops the conversation and deletes what they shared.
Oversight
- A clinical psychologist reviews these rules, the crisis messages and the safety test results before each release. Safety events are counted without their content so we can report on crisis referrals and improve.