Virtual James Parkinson
Meet Virtual James Parkinson: your digital Parkinson’s expert
Virtual James Parkinson is a digital expert on Parkinson’s disease who can answer your questions quickly and in an easy-to-understand way. He is inspired by how James Parkinson might look if he lived today. This virtual assistant provides information about symptoms, treatments, and ongoing research.
The digital expert was developed by the ParkinsonFonds Foundation to make reliable information more accessible to everyone affected by Parkinson’s.
Click on ‘Chat now’ in the bottom left corner of your screen to start your conversation with Virtual James Parkinson. You can ask your questions via text or voice. James also speaks multiple languages, including Dutch, English, German, and many more.
Note: Virtual James does not give personal medical advice. Parkinson’s disease affects everyone differently. Always discuss your situation with your doctor or healthcare provider.
Disclaimer
- Important: James is powered by AI and may make mistakes. James is not a real person and is not a medical professional. Always consult a qualified doctor for medical advice.
- Conversations with James are not stored and are not used to train the AI model. ParkinsonFonds has no access to user data.
- Users must grant browser access to their microphone. James works best in a quiet environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all the information provided by the virtual expert reviewed by ParkinsonFonds?
The virtual expert is based on carefully selected sources, mostly from research funded by ParkinsonFonds (SPF) and from pre-approved (whitelisted) websites. The interactive functionality uses external Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT or Claude.
How does the virtual expert stay reliable and up to date?
ParkinsonFonds regularly updates the source material. New insights and research findings are periodically added to the information the digital expert is trained on.
Which organizations are involved in developing the digital expert, and what about privacy?
The digital expert was developed by ParkinsonFonds in collaboration with Hibou. Importantly, neither SPF nor Hibou has access to personal data or the content of user sessions.
What happens to the information people share during a conversation?
Conversations are not stored and not used to further train the AI model. Only anonymized metadata—such as the number of sessions and conversation duration—is recorded.
How does ParkinsonFonds ensure the virtual expert is not seen as a replacement for a doctor?
We clearly communicate that the virtual expert does not provide medical advice. For personal or medical questions, we always refer users to their healthcare provider.
Can the virtual expert make mistakes? And what then?
Although we do everything to minimize errors, no AI is completely perfect. That’s why we emphasize that the virtual expert does not provide medical advice, and users should consult a doctor in case of doubt.
Why does the digital expert look like James Parkinson?
He is inspired by James Parkinson but has a unique appearance developed through a careful creative process. We imagined how James Parkinson might look in 2025. It’s a tribute to the physician who first described Parkinson’s disease in 1817.
Why does the virtual expert have a personality?
A human-like communication style lowers the threshold for asking questions. This makes information more accessible to everyone.
Could this money have been used for fundamental research instead?
Providing accessible information and ensuring transparency are essential parts of our mission. By making knowledge accessible, we increase support for research, which in turn enables more scientific studies in the long run.
Were independent medical specialists involved in reviewing the content?
All research findings and content were reviewed by scientists before publication. SPF does not publish scientific results unless they’ve been verified by the relevant researcher. James was trained on this verified content. Although we strive for accuracy, no AI is 100% error-free.
How do you manage the risk of misinformation?
The virtual expert is trained on verified sources and extensively tested. For medical questions, the Virtual James Parkinson always refers users to a doctor to prevent confusion or misinterpretation.
Is this project also meant to increase visibility for ParkinsonFonds?
In addition to education, raising awareness is an important goal. Many people still know too little about Parkinson’s and its impact. With better knowledge, we can break stereotypes and help prevent social isolation.
Do ParkinsonFonds or any partners earn money from this chatbot?
No. Neither ParkinsonFonds nor Hibou earns money from user data or through licenses. The virtual expert is used purely for public education.
Can external parties use user data?
No. Hibou, the developer, has no access to personal data. All information remains within the strict privacy boundaries of ParkinsonFonds and is used solely for educational purposes.
Why is ParkinsonFonds using AI technology despite the risks?
AI allows us to make information easily accessible to a broad audience. The benefits of accessibility and improved public education far outweigh the limited risks. The digital expert is not a replacement for medical advice but an additional support tool.
Who oversees the operation of the digital expert?
The Virtual James Parkinson team at ParkinsonFonds and Hibou actively monitor the digital expert and can make adjustments when needed.
What happens to the chatbot if a partner goes bankrupt or is acquired?
If a partner goes bankrupt or is acquired, data may be transferred to a new owner—but always for the same purpose and within the agreements made with ParkinsonFonds.
Want to learn more about the real James Parkinson? We’ve listed a few interesting facts for you. Note: this page is currently only in Dutch
