Marshall will serve as a co-design partner in developing SimCare AI’s platform and will receive early access to its simulation software beginning this spring. The initiative supports Marshall’s commitment to innovative, ethical, and culturally competent counselor education, ensuring graduates are prepared to meet evolving clinical demands with both technical competence and ethical integrity.
The collaboration takes a careful approach, recognizing the need to thoughtfully and ethically use AI in training. Researchers are aware of wider concerns about AI and are looking to ensure the technology is carefully tested and used responsibly as a tool to supplement human connection in care.
“This technology solves a problem that did not have a solution before: how do we get high fidelity training repetitions for students prior to field experience? This partnership allows us to innovate the educational experience and respond to workforce demands while keeping our professional and ethical commitments at the center,” said Dr. Eric T. Beeson, chair of the Counseling Department. “We are excited to explore how emerging technologies can support, not substitute, the deep relational work that defines counseling and healthcare.”
“Marshall’s students and faculty bring the kind of insight that makes a pilot truly meaningful,” said Vrishank Saini, CEO of SimCare AI. “This pilot allows us to create training simulations that mirror real-world counseling scenarios while tailoring the experience to the unique needs of counselor education. By co-designing the pilot together, we can make sure the technology reflects the realities of counselor training and always keeps the focus on human connection at the center of learning.”
Under the MOU, Marshall will contribute faculty expertise, facilitate user feedback, participate in pilot testing and seek grant funding to support the broader rollout. SimCare AI will oversee technical development and provide comprehensive access and training. While the initial focus is on counseling, Beeson says the platform has potential applications across healthcare disciplines