Each year during Sexual Health Week (held the second week of February), Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights leads the SexPlus campaign to encourage people across Canada to ask questions, learn more, and feel empowered about their sexual health. This year’s theme focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and sexual health, a timely conversation that should continue year-round.

AI is changing the digital landscape, including how people access sexual health information. Increasingly, youth and adults are turning to generative AI chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT) and short-form online content (e.g., TikTok) for quick answers. While this technology can improve access to information, it also raises important concerns. Recent research found that ChatGPT gave accurate answers about sexual health only 64% of the time. AI tools can generate inaccurate or incomplete responses, reflect bias, or reinforce stigma around already sensitive topics. Sexual health can be highly stigmatized, and reliance on AI chatbots may reduce opportunities for people to develop comfort speaking with health professionals about their questions and concerns.

Privacy is another important consideration. Many AI platforms collect and store user data, and individuals may share highly personal sexual health information without fully understanding how their data is used. At the same time, the digital environment is increasingly shaped by misinformation and disinformation, including deepfakes (i.e., realistic fake images created with AI), manipulated images, and inaccurate health content. Fake images are increasingly difficult to distinguish from real images as AI-based tools improve. Young people may be particularly vulnerable, as critical thinking, media literacy, and the ability to assess credible sources are skills they may still be developing. Conversations with youth about digital safety, consent, boundaries, and the real-world impact of online behaviour are essential to reducing harm.

Canadians of all ages are susceptible to online health misinformation. A 2025 report from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) found that many Canadians are highly susceptible to health misinformation, which is linked to delayed medical care, increased anxiety, and poorer health outcomes. Encouragingly, Canadians also report high levels of trust in health professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and public health experts) as reliable sources of accurate information.

While the risks and harms of AI are concerning, the recent CMA report and established research on comprehensive sexual health education offer a hopeful path forward. As noted, health professionals and service providers are a trusted source of accurate and reliable health information. Additionally, comprehensive sexual health education remains an evidence-based way to support informed decision-making about sexual health. Evidence-based education builds knowledge, strengthens critical thinking skills, reduces stigma, and supports people in making informed decisions about their sexual health. This means that health service providers and educators are well-positioned to continue as trusted sources of accurate and evidence-based information in an ever-changing digital environment.

When in doubt, there are trusted local and national sexual and reproductive health organizations and resources to turn to. At the national level, Action Canada’s Sexual Health Hub and The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada’s Sex & U site are reliable and credible sources of information. Locally, the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute offers free, evidence-based sexual health resources to support educators, service providers, parents, and youth (see below for a list). In a rapidly changing digital environment, strengthening relationships and improving access to accurate, credible information is key to helping people navigate sexual health safely.