Integrating AI-assisted music workshops into diabetes care: Supporting emotional well-being of asylum seekers

This qualitative study explores AI-assisted music as a creative health initiative to support emotional well-being and relaxation among people seeking asylum living with or at risk of diabetes. Participants co-created songs that reflected their emotions and cultural identities during AI-supported sessions. Data included observations, interviews, AI-interaction logs and creative artefacts, including a graffiti wall and emoji responses. Findings suggest that AI-assisted music supported relaxation, enjoyment and a sense of escape, with participants viewing AI as a supportive, low-pressure creative partner. While sessions enhanced positive affect and emotional comfort, the artistic outputs showed limited depth in expressing the lived experiences of diabetes. Nevertheless, the study highlights the importance of comfort, accessibility and affective engagement in early stage creative health practice. Overall, AI-assisted music shows promise as a culturally sensitive approach to supporting emotional well-being, with AI’s dual role offering insights for future programme development.