11-year-old Westport twins create AI website to combat loneliness epidemic, 'help spread kindness.'
Sisters Lisette and Leonie Kalra say they plan to take the project to the national level to help fight the loneliness epidemic across America.
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Artificial Intelligence is all around us these days.
While it may illicit mixed reactions, one set of twins in Westport is using AI for good.
Sisters Lisette and Leonie Kalra were recently named Connecticut middle school state champions in the Presidential AI challenge for a website they created that works to combat loneliness.
It's called westportsmiles.org and it uses everyday objects to create sparks for human connection.
The twins said they were inspired to create the website when they noticed one of their friends was feeling lonely.
"Even though we saw it in a friend," Leonie says, "we also saw it whenever we walked down Main Street or when we went to a restaurant."
"Everyone was on their phones," Lisette says, "So we thought maybe if they're on their phones so much, we could use technology to help spread kindness."
If they make it through regionals, the sisters would be invited to the White House.
The twins say they plan to take the project to the national level to help fight the loneliness epidemic across America.
"It's important to be kind because if you're kind to someone," Leonie says, "the chances are that they'll also be kind to you. If everyone is kind to everyone else, then obviously everyone will be happy."
