AI Helped This Small Business Launch Faster and Expand Mental Health Services

Michelle Turner transformed an idea into a functioning mental health platform for children in the foster care system with significant support from artificial intelligence tools. Although her company, Here Now Health, is not an AI business, the technology played a major role in helping her move from concept to execution.

Operating from her home in Virginia Beach, Turner relied on AI to understand startup fundamentals, prepare a business plan, and refine presentations for potential investors. The company, launched in January 2025, has since grown to 16 employees and is approved in three U.S. states to provide Medicaid-funded mental health counseling for children entering foster care.

Turner, a first-time entrepreneur and foster parent, said AI gave her access to guidance that would have otherwise been difficult to obtain. She credited the technology with helping her navigate fundraising despite having no formal business education.

Her experience reflects a broader trend as businesses across the United States increasingly adopt AI to improve efficiency and accelerate growth. The technology has become a major focus for policymakers, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, which is studying its potential impact on productivity, inflation, economic growth, and employment.

While some economists believe AI can help businesses launch more quickly and create new jobs over time, others continue to warn that automation could reduce demand for certain roles, particularly administrative and clerical positions. Researchers have also highlighted the possibility that workers without college degrees may face greater career disruption as AI adoption expands.

Federal Reserve officials have acknowledged both the opportunities and challenges associated with AI. They note that the technology could help address labor shortages in some industries by improving worker productivity, while also creating significant changes in the workforce that may require careful management during the transition.