Chronic pain is long-lasting pain, often over 3 months, which many Veterans experience, along with feelings of depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. Veterans face challenges in getting help that doesn't involve medicine, such as limited access to therapists or living far from clinics. This study is testing a new, easy-to-use helper called "My AI Companion." It's a chatbot that Veterans can talk to through text messages or phone calls to help manage pain without needing the internet or a doctor.

The study will include 200 Veterans from the VA Augusta Health Care System. Half of them will use the chatbot for a year, with check-ins at the start, 3, 6, and 12 months later. We will look at how pain affects their life, mood, sleep, loneliness, and substance use. A separate group of 100 Veterans will be used to compare results. Veterans will be invited to join the study through letters and calls, and they need to be 18 or older, have chronic pain, and visit the VA often.

• The study lasts 12 months with several check-ins.
• Participants will use a chatbot by text/phone to manage pain.
• Veterans need to be receiving care at VA Augusta.