Table 2.

Tough Talks program disclosure scenarios with virtual character reaction

	A: Disclosure scenario description	B: Virtual character reaction	C: Sample virtual character utterance
Scenario 1	Participant has been seeing the virtual character for six weeks. They have not had sex yet, but the relationship seems to be going there and the participant wants to disclose their HIV-positive status.	Neutral: responses are neither strongly positive nor strongly negative. Character expresses curiosity and uncertainty.	“I need time to think about everything.” “Do I need to get tested?”
Scenario 2	Participant has been dating the virtual character seriously for six months and they have been having condomless sex. The participant gets tested and finds out they are HIV positive and wants to tell their partner.	Sympathetic: responses are generally positive. Character expresses some concern for his own potential risk, but is ultimately sympathetic, wants to provide support, and is invested in the relationship.	“I’m just grateful you’re telling me now.” “We can get through this together.”
Scenario 3	Participant has met the virtual character through an online hookup app and they have been having condomless sex for a few weeks. The participant finds out they are HIV positive and decides to tell this partner.	Negative: responses are negative and confrontational. Character expresses disinterest in relationship and anger for being put at risk.	“I can’t believe you’re telling me this.” “Why didn’t you tell me this before!?”

R (finement of the natural language processing (NLP) system