Health groups and researchers in Peru and Argentina are using artificial intelligence to expand sexual and reproductive health information for young and marginalised people. Several projects aim to reduce barriers caused by language, stigma and limited services.
In Peru, obstetrician Ana Miluzka Baca Gamarra developed TeleNanu, a Quechua-language chatbot at the University of San Martín de Porres. TeleNanu uses generative AI and a five-step counselling model. Midwives trained the system with World Health Organization and Peru Ministry of Health guidelines, peer-reviewed literature and professional knowledge. The platform gives evidence-based answers and can recommend human counselling.
TeleNanu handled more than 88,000 queries in the last year in Quechua and Spanish. In October, the non-profit APROPO launched NOA on WhatsApp, the web and social media; it was trained with local and international data and aims to reach 100,000 adolescents by 2026. Public health data note rising HIV cases, many births to mothers aged ten to 19, and increasing adolescent maternal mortality. Experts warn about access, biased data and the need for oversight and coordination. Researchers in Argentina found stigmatising responses in large language models and are working to reduce bias and involve communities in design.
Difficult words
- reproductive — related to having children and body functions
- stigma — negative social attitudes or shame about something
- counselling — professional advice to help with personal problems
- oversight — official supervision to ensure rules are followed
- biased — showing unfair preference or a negative view
- adolescent — a young person between childhood and adulthoodadolescents
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think chatbots can help young people ask about sexual health? Why or why not?
- What are possible problems if the data used to train AI are biased?
- How could communities be involved when researchers design health chatbots?
Related articles
UNESCO report finds gaps in education data
A UNESCO report published on 27 April finds important gaps in education data from poorer countries. It reviewed primary and secondary data in 120 countries but under‑represented low‑income nations and found no science assessment data in low‑income countries.
Mechanical tipping point behind sudden fibrosis
Scientists found a mechanical "tipping point" that makes groups of cells switch quickly from healthy to fibrotic states. Collagen fibers, cell spacing and crosslinking control this abrupt change and affect how far mechanical signals travel.
