Abstract
Rehabitation is the intentional and transformative process of re-inhabiting one’s inner and outer life following trauma, disconnection, or systemic disruption. It involves not only processing pain and loss but reclaiming joy, agency, and a renewed sense of identity. In an increasingly digital age, Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers both opportunities and ethical challenges in this deeply human journey. This paper explores how AI when designed and deployed with trauma-informed, inclusive frameworks can support emotional healing, mental health, and self-reclamation. From personalized therapeutic tools and journaling apps to somatic tracking and culturally-responsive care platforms, AI is beginning to shape how individuals process pain and rediscover meaning. Importantly, AI must not replace human connection, but rather serve as a bridge, augmenting access and agency for those historically marginalized or underserved. Rehabitation through AI also demands critical attention to issues of data privacy, bias, and representation to ensure healing tools do not replicate harm. At its best, AI can support individuals in reclaiming their narratives, reconnecting with their bodies and communities, and rebuilding their lives on their own terms. This intersection of technology and trauma recovery invites a new vision of healing one that is rooted in compassion, justice, and innovation. As we move forward, the question is not only what AI can do, but who it is being built for, and how it can help restore what disconnection and oppression have taken.
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