“AI is already influencing areas we couldn’t have imagined, and sexuality education is no exception,” says Karishma.
As Karishma experimented with tools like chatbots and AI models, she observed how young people often turn to new technologies for answers they might feel unable to ask trusted adults. However, while specialized sexuality education tools show promise, they frequently lack the accuracy or depth to tackle nuanced questions effectively.
Karishma notes that the issue goes beyond factual accuracy: as large language models become widely available, young people may turn to AI for comfort or guidance. “This raises new questions around emotional dependency, attachment and trust that young people may develop in relation to AI tools.”
Risks of bias and misinformation in AI-generated content can also undermine trust. She recalls testing an AI tool and receiving contradictory and unverified facts and statistics. “As a sexuality educator, I could identify that the information was off, but for an average young person, especially if they’re panicking, such misinformation or misleading responses could exacerbate anxiety and stigma.”