NDSU Students Use AI to Help Alzheimer’s Caregivers

A group of doctoral students at North Dakota State University is working to change the way caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients find support and information. Their project, ADQueryAid, is an AI-powered website designed to provide instant, reliable answers from trusted Alzheimer’s resources.
The idea started with caregivers sharing their struggles online. Lead researcher Word Ul Hasan says the project aims to help not just patients, but also those caring for them.
“When someone has Alzheimer’s, it’s not just the patient who suffers—it’s the caregivers too. That motivated us to create a system that supports both.”
Unlike traditional search engines, ADQueryAid is designed to provide helpful, supportive responses instead of overwhelming or frightening search results. Co-researcher Kimia Zaman explains that the system interacts like a friend, offering comfort before providing information.
“It will say, ‘I’m so sorry you’re going through this. How can I help?’ It’s designed to feel human.”
The project, which began in 2020, has gone through multiple versions. The next update is set for release this spring, with a stronger focus on patient care.