On March 21st, we hosted our international webinar “Exploring the Use of Chatbots for Teaching Sexual and Relational Health”—an informative session that brought together educators, youth workers, and digital learning enthusiasts from across Europe to dive deeper into how ALEX: the SexED Bot is changing the conversation around sex ed for Gen Z.
Why Chatbots? Why Now?
The session opened with a reflection on the need for innovation in sex education. Participants discussed persistent barriers:
– Taboo topics that prevent open conversations
– The lack of privacy in traditional classroom environments
– Inconsistent access to accurate, inclusive sex ed across countries
– And the reality that many young people turn to the internet—often encountering misinformation
Chatbots like ALEX are designed to meet these challenges head-on, offering a private, accessible, and youth-friendly alternative that supports scientific accuracy and emotional well-being.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
Instead of simply presenting ALEX, the session explored:
– The logic behind its design: building trust, engagement, and inclusivity into every interaction
– The role of expert curation in maintaining quality and accuracy, even as we move toward GPT-based versions
– How ALEX complements, not replaces, formal education by offering a non-judgmental and relatable space for youth
ALEX in Action
A highlight of the webinar was a guided look into ALEX’s user experience, featuring a mix of live interaction and pre-recorded screen walkthroughs. Participants got a practical sense of how young people engage with ALEX.
First Impressions:
Shows how a user starts a conversation with ALEX on Instagram:
– Choosing a language
– Receiving the welcome message
– Seeing the 8 available topic buttons
– First use of emojis and GIFs
Quiz Interaction:
Shows a quiz that helps users test their knowledge, confront misconceptions, and reflect on personal values.
Accessing Multimedia:
Highlights how infographics are embedded throughout the bot.
All 30+ infographics are also available in the 6 project languages (English, French, Spanish, Hungarian, Polish and Slovenian) at our website under Materials -> Essential lessons for youth on SRH topics.
Navigating & Ending the Chat:
Users can type the keyword STOP in their language, use the hamburger menu option (Stop chatting), or click the button to stop chatting which is offered at the end of each topic, at which point ALEX wishes them goodbye.
Looking Ahead: A GPT-Powered Future for ALEX
We shared exciting news about the next phase of development: a GPT-enhanced version of ALEX, soon to be embedded directly on our website. This new version will allow for:
– Greater anonymity
– Smarter intent recognition
– Improved accessibility for youth who prefer web interfaces over social media
However, we emphasised that expert-curated content remains at the core of ALEX. While GPT adds adaptability, maintaining safe, fact-checked, inclusive content is non-negotiable—especially when discussing sensitive topics like sex and relationships.
Final Thanks
A big thank you to all who joined the webinar, interacted with ALEX, and contributed to the discussion. Your questions, insights, and enthusiasm continue to shape the path forward for inclusive, youth-friendly digital education.