Mis/disinformation is increasing online, particularly through the use of large language models. This workshop uses sexual and reproductive health as a case study to demonstrate how AI impacts public health and how to respond to it.

Sexual Health Victoria (SHV) has developed a framework to analyse online health information and build individuals' capacity to identify untrustworthy sources. This framework incorporates an understanding of social determinants impacting health and where people search for information such as using generative AI.

Participants will explore why people use AI to find health information and the potential consequences of trusting AI-generated information. Participants will be shown examples of challenges people face when searching for evidence-based health information. This will include an interactive quiz on determining whether examples of health information are misinformation or not.

After unpacking the current landscape of online health information, participants will be shown how to use SHV’s tackling misinformation framework. It provides simple guidelines for critical consideration of the accuracy, trustworthiness, and credibility of online health information. It includes five areas where information can be deceptive.

Participants will use the framework on examples of health information, first to determine information credibility, and then to practice how to use it with community. This includes discussing using AI for health information without shaming people and understanding emotions when searching and interpreting online health information. SHV’s framework is designed to work with the evolution of AI, meaning these digital literacy skills remain impactful regardless of how people are searching for their health information online.