You find yourself in a situation with a Tinder date where things are escalating, but you’re concerned about contracting an STI due to lack of trust. What should you do next?
A company named Calmara suggests taking a photo of your partner’s genitals and using their AI to determine if they are “clear” of STIs.
However, it is crucial to highlight that relying on an AI tool to make decisions about sexual activity based on visual scans is not recommended.
Calmara’s approach raises concerns, especially since most STIs are asymptomatic, meaning they may not show any symptoms. Therefore, traditional STI tests using blood and urine samples are more reliable than visual examinations.
While Calmara’s stance is controversial, there are other startups taking a more responsible approach to accessible STI testing.
Founder of TBD Health, Daphne Chen, emphasizes the importance of sensitivity and specificity in lab diagnosis to ensure accurate results.
It’s essential to note that Calmara itself advises against using its findings as medical advice, although its marketing may suggest otherwise.
Co-founder and CEO Mei-Ling Lu clarified that Calmara is intended as a lifestyle product rather than a medical tool, promoting conversations about STI testing.
HeHealth, associated with Calmara, offers an AI-based platform as a preliminary step for assessing sexual health before connecting users with partner clinics for comprehensive screenings.
Privacy concerns arise around data usage and security measures within these platforms, raising questions about the safety of user information shared during the process.
While innovation in sexual health technology has good intentions, rushing to market with underdeveloped solutions like Calmara may pose risks to users’ well-being.
