Generative AI Chatbots for Global HIV Treatment and Care: A Commentary

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Artificial Intelligence

Background:

• People living with HIV face significant challenges including stigma, mental health issues, and limited healthcare access.
• Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbots present a novel technological solution to address these multifaceted issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of GenAI chatbots as a component of a multifaceted approach to improve HIV prevention and care.
• To identify the benefits and challenges associated with implementing GenAI chatbots in HIV services.

Main Methods:

• Review of emerging evidence and discussion of practical considerations for GenAI chatbot implementation in HIV care.
• Analysis of potential applications in HIV prevention, information dissemination, and counseling.

Main Results:

• GenAI chatbots can reduce costs, save time, and offer discreet user interactions, thereby reducing stigma and improving comfort.
• Evidence suggests potential for enhancing HIV self-testing, PrEP information, counseling, and role-playing disclosure.
• High user satisfaction, ease of use, and multilingual capabilities are noted benefits.

Conclusions:

• GenAI chatbots show promise for enhancing HIV prevention and care but require careful ethical and practical consideration for safe and responsible use.
• Successful implementation necessitates collaboration between technologists, clinicians, researchers, and affected communities to build user AI knowledge and trust.