AI in Sex Education: A Review of Chatbots and Sexual Health

The intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and education is rapidly evolving, with potential applications across various subjects. This article delves into a systematic review examining the use of AI in sexual and reproductive health education, exploring its acceptability, feasibility, and overall impact.

AI is transforming healthcare and education at an unprecedented pace. In sexual health education, AI offers the potential to reduce stigma, provide convenient access to information for diverse populations, and optimize resource allocation. This review aims to evaluate the role of generative AI in this context.

A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, focusing on studies combining AI and sexual education search terms. The review included experimental and observational studies published between January 1, 2014, and August 16, 2024. Data management was facilitated by Covidence, with screening and extraction performed by two non-expert reviewers. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for quality assessment, and reporting adhered to PRISMA guidelines.

The initial search yielded 4,044 records, with 21 full-text articles meeting the inclusion criteria. All studies were observational, involving a total of 146,990 participants from eight countries. A significant portion of the studies compared AI chatbots to traditional sex education formats. The review assessed acceptability, feasibility, and impact across these studies.

Users primarily seek factual information from AI chatbots, finding their responses easy to understand and appreciating the immediate availability of information compared to human interactions. AI empowers users to exercise their sexual rights, discuss their feelings and needs, and gain knowledge about HIV and family planning. The accessibility and convenience offered by AI are particularly valuable for individuals who may have previously lacked access to comprehensive sexual health education.

Despite the benefits, AI chatbot responses often differ in tone and empathy compared to human interactions, and they may require longer reading times. While chatbots are generally considered clinically safe and offer accessible information, users express skepticism about their credibility for sensitive topics, preferring human interaction in such cases. Ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and ethical use of AI in sexual health education is crucial.

The current usage of AI in sexual health education is outpacing the availability of high-quality evidence regarding its acceptability, feasibility, and impact. While initial studies show promise, there is a pressing need for high-quality, randomized controlled trials involving human participants and comparator groups. These studies are essential to establish the efficacy and safety of AI-driven sexual health education.

AI chatbots hold potential for delivering accessible sexual health information, but more rigorous research is needed before they can be fully trusted to successfully provide such education. Future studies should focus on addressing the limitations and concerns identified in this review, ensuring that AI is used responsibly and ethically to promote sexual health and well-being. The integration of AI in sex education requires careful consideration and ongoing evaluation to maximize its benefits and minimize potential risks.