MARVIN: the first AI-powered HIV care chatbot

When life's everyday challenges get in the way, it can be hard to stay on track with antiretroviral therapy. A new chatbot could help.

World AIDS Day, observed on December 1, is a global initiative to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, which affect nearly 40 million people worldwide. At the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute), physicians and researchers are leading efforts to improve the lives of people living with HIV, by promoting adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) to maintain long-term suppression of the virus, prevent complications and avoid further transmission.

Among them is Bertrand Lebouché, MD, PhD, physician at the MUHC’s Chronic Viral Illness Service (CVIS) and a Scientist in the Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program at The Institute.

Dr. Lebouché leads a research team developing the first AI-powered chatbot designed to help people with HIV manage their health. Called MARVIN, this bilingual tool can provide reliable health information, medication reminders and guidance on managing antiretroviral therapy, through brief text-based conversations. A study recently published in HIV Medicine demonstrated MARVIN’s effectiveness. 

“Advances in antiretroviral therapy have revolutionized HIV care, giving people with HIV nearly the same life expectancy as those without the virus. But to maintain this progress, it’s critical to stay on top of treatment. Our ultimate vision is for MARVIN to become a personalized health companion, delivering the right support to the right person at the right time, redefining the future of HIV care,” says Dr. Lebouché, who is also Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McGill University. 

In the study, 28 patients from the CVIS clinic engaged in 20 conversations with MARVIN over three weeks, covering predetermined topics. Participants provided feedback on the tool’s usability through surveys, and nine were interviewed for deeper insights. Users praised MARVIN for its reliable, real-time health information, easy accessibility, and conversational approach. Its confidentiality and non-judgmental nature made it a trusted space for discussing sensitive issues. 

"The positive feedback on MARVIN showcases the potential of AI-powered tools to empower patients in managing their care. It underscores the value of integrating patient perspectives to develop human-centered technologies that truly meet their needs," says Yuanchao Ma, Ing. PRT and PhD candidate, project manager and first author of the study, research assistant at The Institute’s Centre for Outcomes Research (CORE) and research associate at Polytechnique Montréal.

The study was conducted by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals from the CVIS and researchers from the CORE. Technical development was supported by students and interns from Polytechnique Montréal, while a Patient Expert Committee provided clinical insights. The researchers are continuing to refine and evaluate MARVIN to enhance its impact further. 

About the study

The study The first AI-based Chatbot to promote HIV self-management: A mixed methods usability study was conducted by Yuanchao Ma, Sofiane Achiche, Gavin Tu, Serge Vicente, David Lessard, Kim Engler, Benoît Lemire; MARVIN chatbots Patient Expert Committee; Moustafa Laymouna, Alexandra de Pokomandy, Joseph Cox and Bertrand Lebouché.

DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13720

This study was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research.