AI Chat Helps South Africans Talk About HIV Prevention

South Africa faces a heavy load on its health workers, making it hard for doctors and nurses to chat with patients about HIV risk and whether they should use PrEP. A new app called “Your Choice” uses a big‑data chatbot to step in and talk with people who recently tested negative for HIV. The bot can ask questions, give information, and guide users toward prevention steps without adding to the staff’s workload. The idea is that conversations with a machine can be quick, consistent and free of judgment, giving patients more space to share personal details that might otherwise be skipped in a rushed clinic visit. The bot also records answers, allowing doctors to review the data later and tailor care more precisely.Early tests show that people enjoy chatting with the AI because it feels less intimidating than a human doctor. They also find the responses clear and helpful, which could boost awareness of PrEP options. Researchers hope that this technology will reduce the stigma surrounding HIV discussions and improve prevention rates across communities. Still, experts caution that a chatbot cannot replace the empathy and expertise of a trained clinician. The system should work alongside doctors, not in place of them, to ensure that medical advice remains accurate and personalized. Future work will look at how well the app works in different languages and settings, and whether it truly changes people’s choices about prevention. If successful, “Your Choice” could become a model for other countries facing similar health workforce challenges.