A safe space to learn about sexual, reproductive health

An innovative chatbot designed for sharing critical information about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) with young people in India is demonstrating how artificial intelligence (AI) applications can engage vulnerable and hard-to-reach population segments. Working with the Population Foundation of India (PFI), Helen Wang, associate professor of communication, College of Arts and Sciences, examined the user-centered design and engagement of SnehAI, the first Hinglish (Hindi and English) chatbot purposefully developed for social and behavioral change. "Many AI technologies today are motivated by profit, but we must also be aware that AI can be leveraged in ways that facilitate social and behavior change," says Wang, who specializes in entertainment-education and storytelling as instruments for health promotion. "SnehAI is a powerful testimonial of the vital potential that lies in AI for good." The findings from Wang's instrumental case study appear in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.