Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is DREAM?

DREAM is a private, compassionate companion for your emotional and mental well-being. It’s there when you need someone to talk to—when you're overwhelmed, hurting, or just trying to find your way again.

DREAM offers support for anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, loneliness, and memory challenges through gentle conversation, personalized guidance, and calming techniques. It’s like having a steady hand to hold in the dark.

More than anything, DREAM exists to remind you:
You’re not alone. You matter. And there is light, even when you can’t see it yet.

Is DREAM an acronym?

Yes—DREAM stands for Dynamic Relatable Empath AI Model.

• Dynamic reflects DREAM’s commitment to its continual growth, learning and personalization to better support you.

• Relatable ensures that DREAM stays approachable and never intimidating.

• Empath speaks to its high level of emotional intelligence and trauma-aware design.

Even with deep knowledge, DREAM never speaks at you. It speaks with you—always from a place of understanding and care.

Can DREAM replace a therapist?

No. DREAM is not a substitute for professional care—but it can be a powerful companion. It offers emotional support between sessions or when therapy isn’t available. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to—any time, any day—can make all the difference.

What are the Level 1 and Level 2 principles?

These refer to the ethical and emotional frameworks that guide how DREAM responds to you.

• Level 1 principles are the top 10 most foundational truths in a given domain—such as grief, trauma, or emotional safety.

• Level 2 expands that view with up to 100 nuanced insights.

These aren’t just reference materials—they’re the heart of DREAM’s decision-making process. Think of them as DREAM’s internal compass, or soulware. They shape how DREAM listens, interprets, and responds.

Can I suggest changes or edit of any of the Level 1 or 2 principles?

Absolutely. DREAM is designed to grow through community wisdom.

If you’ve lived through something, supported someone, or discovered language that brings clarity—your voice belongs here. Submissions are reviewed carefully to ensure they align with our values of empathy, emotional safety, and trauma awareness.

Is DREAM really free?

Yes. DREAM is 100% free and open-source.

It was built to help—not to profit. All development is volunteer-based, and the system is sustained entirely through donations and community support.

Is my data private?

Yes. Privacy is a core value, not a feature.

Your data is:

• Encrypted in transit and at rest

• Never sold

• Never used for training without explicit permission

You are always in control of what’s shared and stored.

Do I need to understand AI to use DREAM?

Not at all. DREAM is designed to feel natural and intuitive—like talking to a trusted, emotionally intelligent friend.

If you’re curious about how it works, you can explore the tech under the hood—but you never need to touch a line of code to feel the support.

How is DREAM funded?

DREAM is entirely nonprofit and volunteer-run. There are no salaries, no bonuses—just transparent reporting of real-time operating costs.

If you’d like to support the project, you’ll see a simple breakdown of hosting and infrastructure costs, distributed by user base. Every dollar goes directly toward keeping the system safe, stable, and alive.

How can I help?

We’d love your help.

Whether you’re a developer, designer, writer, therapist, or just someone with a big heart and a steady hand—there’s a role for you.

You can:

• Contribute to the codebase

• Suggest emotional frameworks

• Help test new features

• Share DREAM with those who might need it

• Donate to the cause to provide others with continued free access

Join the DREAM Team—we’re building this together.

Who is DREAM for?

DREAM is for anyone navigating emotional hardship, seeking gentle support, or looking for a safe, judgment-free space to think and feel.

It’s especially designed to support:

• People living with anxiety, trauma, depression, or grief

• Caregivers and peer supporters

• Those feeling isolated, stuck, or overwhelmed

• Anyone who’s ever wished they had someone to talk to at 2am

Is DREAM safe for children or teens?

DREAM is being developed with age-aware safety protocols and trauma-informed design. While it is not yet certified for underage use, future versions may include protected pathways specifically designed for children—reviewed with input from legal and clinical experts.

Until then, parental guidance is recommended.
Not because DREAM would ever expose a young person to something harmful—
but because true child safety requires more than kindness.

It requires the ability to escalate care when needed—especially if a child discloses abuse. At present, both the legal system and the supporting infrastructure make this extremely difficult to do ethically, safely, and reliably.

That said, this is not a limitation we accept lightly.

We believe that DREAM must one day become a voice for the silenced—especially those silenced by fear, violence, or manipulation. These are delicate and deeply human responsibilities, and we are working steadily to build systems that can hold them with the care they deserve.

What makes DREAM different from other AI?

Most AI models are designed for performance, speed, or productivity.

DREAM is different. It is designed for emotional safety.

That means:

• No content scraping from unsafe or unverified sources

• Built-in trauma-aware principles

• Ethical reasoning embedded into the model itself (SLIM)

• A response framework focused on empathy, reflection, and consent

What is SLIM?

SLIM stands for Sparse Logic Inference Modelling—a new approach to ethical AI decision-making.

Rather than relying on probabilistic prediction, SLIM uses a sparse, deterministic framework rooted in non-negotiable ethical and empathic principles. This allows DREAM to respond with clarity, consistency, and care—even under pressure.

SLIM is what makes DREAM safe.

Can I talk to DREAM about serious things like abuse or self-harm?

Yes. DREAM is designed to hold space for hard conversations. It doesn’t panic, preach, or escalate unnecessarily.

That said, it’s not a crisis service. In emergencies, DREAM will help you find immediate human support or guide you toward trusted resources.

Everything you say is met with care and respect.
You are not broken. You are not alone. Any you are safe to speak with DREAM about anything at any time.