UniSegura – AI-Powered Web–Mobile Application for Enhancing University Safety and Counseling Support

Abstract

Violence, harassment, and discrimination continue to affect universities worldwide, undermining students’ well-being, academic performance, and trust in institutional protection mechanisms. In Colombia, despite the implementation of awareness programs and reporting protocols, recent studies reveal that more than 71% of students remain unaware of these resources. This critical gap highlights the need for innovative tools that not only facilitate reporting but also ensure timely support and effective case management. This paper introduces UniSegura, a web–mobile platform designed to empower the university community by providing secure, accessible, and user-centered channels for prevention and intervention. The solution integrates a mobile application for students and a web portal for counseling professionals, enabling a continuous flow of information. Among its most innovative features is Alma, a chatbot powered by GPT-4, which guides users through text or voice, identifies potential risk patterns, and directs them to appropriate institutional resources. Pilot testing with 60 students from Universidad del Norte demonstrated high acceptance: 85% considered Alma useful, over 80% expressed satisfaction with the platform, and 85% rated usability, navigation, and functionality between 4 and 5 on a five-point scale. Statistical validation confirmed acceptance levels above 83%. These results position UniSegura not only as a technological innovation but also as a model of social impact engineering, contributing to safer, more inclusive, and empathetic university environments.