Kenya is rolling out Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug that provides up to six months of protection with a single injection, Nakuru, Kenya, March 26, 2026.. Photo Credit: SOPA Images via Getty Images
HealthTechnology South AfricaAI Chat Companions Help More People Access HIV Prevention
South Africa is using AI-powered chat companions to boost HIV prevention, helping more people start and stay on life-saving medication through accessible, real-time digital support.
“With PrEP, I took it but didn’t fully understand how it works, so Aimee explained it,” said one user of the AI companion, highlighting how personalised guidance can build confidence and trust in prevention.
The WhatsApp-based health tool Aimee has reached nearly 10,000 users, with more than two-thirds actively engaging and almost half of those going on to take HIV self-tests. By offering 24/7 confidential advice on prevention, side effects and treatment, the platform helps bridge gaps between clinic visits in overstretched health systems. Similar digital tools are now being tested across multiple countries, with one large study of over 155,000 patients showing users were more than three times as likely to start preventive treatment, demonstrating how AI can translate medical breakthroughs into real-world impact at scale.
