Kozani was created with a simple yet meaningful mission: to use AI to build a tool that’s both accessible and really makes a difference.
We developed and designed Kozani as an AI-powered perinatal mental health companion that delivers reliable information, emotional support, and guidance to expectant mothers throughout pregnancy and early motherhood in under-resourced communities across South Africa.
Understanding the need
In South Africa, perinatal mental health is a big deal, yet it often flies under the radar. It impacts around one in three moms, who are juggling a lot, economic struggles, isolation, social stigma, and even threats from gender-based violence and significant physical distances to health facilities - often leaving them with zero access to mental health support between clinic visits.
At the same time, over 91% of South Africans connect to the internet via their mobile devices. That’s where Kozani comes in; it’s designed to meet moms right where they are, using technology that’s accessible and supportive.
Kozani runs directly on any phone that has an internet connection, keeping access simple by removing the need to download or install an app, making it perfect for low-resource environments. It’s not meant to replace doctors or professional healthcare; rather, it’s here to provide support during those gaps between visits. By drawing strictly from a curated knowledge base, it delivers clear, evidence-backed information without the risk of AI hallucinations. Plus, it creates a warm, non-judgmental space for emotional support, while maintaining clear boundaries that guide mothers directly to formal healthcare services whenever clinical intervention is needed. Best of all, it’s completely free for the mothers who use it, thanks to our partnerships with healthcare departments and NGOs, supported by cloud technology from AWS.
Reaching local and global platforms: AI for Good and Activate SA
Technology should be able to assist in solving real human problems, and Kozani continues to open up meaningful spaces for that work across both local and global platforms, including the prestigious AI for Good Global Summit as well as Activate SA, organised by the South African AI Association.
As one of just ten South African organisations featured in the AI Innovation Hub at Activate SA, our team set up an interactive demo pod where attendees could get hands-on with Kozani. They explored its conversational flow, tested its capabilities, and saw it operating in real time. Taking Kozani out of development and into live, unscripted interactions in a room full of AI experts was a bit nerve-wracking, but ultimately deeply reassuring. More than anything, it proved to us that AI’s real role isn’t replacing human care, but extending genuine human connection to the places that need it most.
And being a part of the AI for Good community connects us with a fantastic global movement focused on using artificial intelligence to tackle real-world health and social disparities. This means having a seat at the table with international leaders who believe that ethical technology should always prioritise dignity and accessibility.
We put together a short video of our experience at Activate SA and showing Kozani in action. Be sure to check out the recap on our TikTok page!
The Red & Yellow partnership
To help expand Kozani’s reach and create a thoughtful brand identity, we’re thrilled to announce our three-year educational partnership with the Red & Yellow Creative School of Business!
In this collaboration, Kozani will serve as the main live industry brief for students working towards an Advanced Diploma in Digital Marketing. They’ll get hands-on experience developing brand identities, performance marketing strategies, and content funnels for the tool, all while navigating the strict ethical frameworks required for health-adjacent communication, with a sharp focus on dignity, empathy, and anti-stigmatisation.
This collaboration is more than just an academic exercise; students’ strategies will play a crucial role in shaping Kozani’s real-world go-to-market plan as we work to make a difference for mothers in underprivileged communities.
Taking the conversation to Big Data LDN
When you’re designing AI for maternal health, “safety features” stop being tech jargon and become very human decisions. Figuring out what an AI companion shouldn’t say can be just as important as knowing what it should!
Danielle will be discussing how we approached these important boundaries with Kozani at Big Data LDN on September 23 at Olympia London. She’ll share what it truly takes to build AI that people can trust, especially when it really matters. If you’ll be at Olympia or in London that week, we’d love for you to drop by and say hello or register to join here!
What’s next for Kozani
As Kozani moves forward with continuous product refinements and upcoming pilot programmes, we are actively seeking partners, healthcare organisations, and collaborators across South Africa who share our vision for ethical, human-centred technology.
If you’re interested in joining us on this journey with Kozani, feel free to reach us directly at kozani@freerangecreatives.world. You can also follow along with our journey on LinkedIn!