5. Self-Help Stays Up to Date – And in Our Hands (Friday only)

What does the future of healthcare look like?

AI and digitalization are expected to improve healthcare and address structural challenges such as demographic change and the resulting staff shortages. Bold promises are being made: technology is supposed to enable a longer and healthier life for everyone—while also cutting costs. What are the latest political and technological developments in digitalization? And how much truth is there in the narratives about new efficiencies and improved digital care?
Manuel Hofmann (DAH))

This workshop covers the basics of visibility control in electronic patient records (ePA): Who can release or restrict data, what technical options (selective release, access logs) and legal frameworks apply, and what opportunities and risks arise for privacy and care quality. Through short inputs and practical examples, we will exchange experiences—such as everyday handling, issues with permissions, and the documentation of sensitive information (e.g., HIV status, mental health diagnoses, drug use).
Manuel Hofmann (DAH))

This workshop examines the use of chatbots in low-threshold counseling: How can automated dialogues help reach those seeking advice, provide initial information, and guide them to follow-up services—without losing sight of empathy and data protection? Using practical examples, we will explore the opportunities (accessibility, scalability, low barriers) and limitations (complexity of needs, trust, confidentiality) and develop criteria for meaningful use, as well as design recommendations for dialog content and processes.
Aleksey Lakhov – Project: Borys Hrachov
English with translation

Many people, including those living with HIV, already use ChatGPT and similar systems to research health information. Some have medical letters explained in understandable terms or seek initial assessments. We are particularly interested in how you perceive this development. Together, we will look at a specific use case. We want to know how you use or evaluate such applications and what experiences, expectations, or doubts you associate with them. How is the relationship between doctors and patients changing? Does this empower patients? And what about your data?

About the Project: The 'AI_dshilfe labs' project is a third-party-funded initiative by the German AIDS Foundation, led by Simon Herchenbach and Manuel Hofmann. We explore the visions, opportunities, risks, and use cases of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of AIDS support work. As part of the project’s continuation in 2026, we are conducting another participatory study on the use of AI in our work, together with Sophie Kortenbruck.

Important: Your contributions in the workshop will be recorded, transcribed, and anonymized for publication in a final report. By participating, you help shape the future of AI in healthcare. Following the motto: 'Nothing about us without us—especially when it comes to artificial intelligence!'
Sophie Kortenbruck (German AIDS Service Organization)

Opportunities, Risks, and Practical Tips

Artificial intelligence can practically support self-help: It assists in writing reports, funding applications, and minutes, creates or edits social media posts, handles translations, and generates initial drafts for informational materials. This saves time, increases the reach of communication, and provides straightforward assistance with linguistic or formal hurdles.
At the same time, there are clear limits and risks: Automatically generated texts may contain factual errors, imprecise formulations, or inappropriate tone; translations do not always deliver culturally sensitive or professionally accurate results. Data protection and confidentiality are key—personal or sensitive content must not be processed. When using external AI services, copyright issues (e.g., regarding input sources) and potential storage or use of entered data must be considered.

Speaker: Nils Gerken (Hamburg)

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in medical practice, including to alleviate workflows.

What is your stance on this use? We invite you to share your experiences and perspectives on using AI as a support tool in the treatment room. We want to know how you assess the use of artificial assistants in healthcare and what experiences, expectations, or concerns you have about it.
What is important from the patients' perspective, and what do we need? Together, we will examine a specific use case, discuss the benefits as well as risks, and explore the topic in depth.

About the Project: The 'AI_dshilfe labs' project is a third-party-funded initiative by the German AIDS Foundation, led by Simon Herchenbach and Manuel Hofmann. We explore the visions, opportunities, risks, and use cases of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of AIDS support work. As part of the project’s continuation in 2026, we are conducting another participatory study on the use of AI in our work, together with Sophie Kortenbruck.

Important: Your contributions in the workshop will be recorded, transcribed, and anonymized for publication in a final report. By participating, you help shape the future of AI in healthcare. Following the motto: 'Nothing about us without us—especially when it comes to artificial intelligence!'
Sophie Kortenbruck (DAH))