AI depression detection startup Kintsugi shuts down

Kintsugi, a startup that spent seven years developing AI to detect depression and anxiety from speech patterns, is ceasing operations. The company failed to obtain FDA clearance for its technology. As a result, Kintsugi is open-sourcing most of its AI, potentially allowing it to be repurposed for other applications, including identifying deepfake audio. This move highlights the challenges in bringing AI-driven mental health tools through regulatory approval processes, contrasting with the more established methods of patient questionnaires and clinical interviews.