“I ask it answers, no stigma”: Generative AI and Sexual Reproductive Health Needs Among Tertiary Students.

• In Event: 40214 - Digital Sociology: Politics, Artificial Intelligence, and Online Community

Abstract

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has opened up a plethora of functions and usability for different communities. However, the modulation of computer prorammes in meeting the sexual reproductive health needs of young adults predates the use of generative AI tools. The continuous reliance on generative AI for different instrumental uses makes it imperative for social scientists to establish how young adults use generative AI tools to meet their sexual reproductive health needs. Consequently, this study investigates how generative AI tools are utilized by young adults to meet their SRH needs. To explore this, 410 residential tertiary students from the University of Ghana were randomly selected using the stratified sampling method. The findings of the study revealed that although students are still navigating the potential uses of AI, few (20%) use it to meet their sexual reproductive health needs. This number is expected to rise as the youth become more functionally literate. In this paper, we argue that due to the seeming privacy Generative AI guarantees for users as well as the conversational nature which mimics an actual conversation with health personnel a lot more youth will eventually rely on different generative AI tools to meet their SRH needs. This generates unique challenges as Large Language Models are often trained on Western epistemologies and social reality. African social scientists must therefore take a keen interest in the social consequences of AI use for meeting SRH needs.

Authors

• Rabiu K. B. Asante, University of Ghana

• Sylvia Esther Gyan, University of Ghana