Corner of Courage (Co-design Project)

Social interactions often induce stress, negatively affecting daily life and, in some cases, causing individuals to miss valuable personal and professional opportunities. Anxiety commonly stems from a lack of self‑confidence and the fear of negative judgement from others. It is a rapidly growing global phenomenon, particularly among younger generations. Despite its prevalence, many individuals are reluctant to seek professional medical help. This resistance is largely influenced by social stigma surrounding mental health issues, as well as the high cost of treatment. While exposure therapy has been identified as one of the most effective approaches for alleviating anxiety, patients frequently show resistance to this method.Recent developments in Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer new possibilities for addressing these challenges. Immersive and adaptive technologies can provide supportive, low‑risk environments for users to gradually confront anxiety‑provoking situations.What if, in response to these challenges, an interactive game combining Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) could help users build confidence and safely rehearse social interactions—ultimately reducing real‑life social anxiety?