"Your Path": Using AI to Support HIV Health Decision-Making

Candice Chetty-Makkan and Sophie Pascoe of the Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office of Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Limited in South Africa will develop an AI-based mobile phone application for use after HIV self-testing to increase access to counseling and advice on seeking healthcare services. They will build on an existing Large Language Model-based chat interface named Your Choice, which stands for “Your Own Unique Risk Calculation for HIV-related Outcomes and Infections using a Chat Engine.” The new app will have improved conversational abilities and generate conversation summaries for patients and healthcare providers. They will pilot test the app using a hypothetical HIV test result, engaging a subset of individuals and healthcare providers previously recruited for their insights on health-seeking behavior. The app will be integrated into the HealthPulse AI mobile app platform, providing a more accessible alternative to facility-based HIV testing and the associated guidance on next steps.