About us · A Columbia University research initiative

AI for the Queer Eye

gAyI is a Columbia University research initiative led by Drs. Charles Lea and Elwin Wu, part of the Social Intervention Group at the Columbia School of Social Work. Our mission is to explore how AI can be used responsibly and creatively to promote LGBTQ+ mental health and wellbeing.

We serve social workers — service providers, researchers, and students — alongside LGBTQ+ communities, AI researchers, and the general public.

We work closely with a Community Expert & Accountability Panel of clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience to reimagine what equitable, inclusive technology can look like.

Team photo coming soon

Why we built this

AI is quickly becoming part of how people look for support and information. We want everyone to be informed about the tools they’re using — especially the populations that digital tools have historically excluded or underserved. Clear, honest report cards make it easier to know when these tools genuinely help, and when to be cautious.

Building better AI benchmarks

We compare traditional machine-learning benchmarks with expert-informed human benchmarks so evaluations reflect real LGBTQ+ needs — cultural consideration, tone, accuracy, and safety.

Studying how people use AI

Through interviews, think-aloud sessions, and user testing, we examine where AI supports, where it misleads, and how design shapes perceptions of safety and credibility.

Making findings public

Open-access chatbot “report cards” give clinicians, educators, students, and community members clear, evidence-informed evaluations.

Our Research Team

Dr. Charles Lea

Project Co-Director

Dr. Elwin Wu

Project Co-Director

Clementine Thompson, LMSW

Doctoral Candidate

Jackson Zhao

Data Analyst

Dee Luo

Research Assistant