AI-Powered Chatbot for Emotional Well-Being in Tunisian Primary Schools

The emotional well-being of primary school students is often neglected, particularly in low-resource settings where mental health support is scarce. In Tunisia, where academic stress exacerbates anxiety among young learners, scalable, culturally adapted tools are urgently needed. This study presents CareCube, an AI-powered chatbot designed to monitor emotional states, provide real-time support, and guide students through evidence-based exercises during high-stress periods like exams. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research evaluates CareCube's impact on anxiety reduction and emotional regulation among students aged 10–13. An experimental group using the chatbot is compared to a control group receiving traditional support. The study also examines the role of teacher training in health education on implementation outcomes. Findings suggest that AI-based emotional support tools, when tailored to local contexts and supported by trained educators, can enhance student well-being and offer a viable solution for mental health challenges in educational systems with limited resources.