Artificial intelligence and public health: prospects, hype and challenges

Objectives and importance of the study Applications of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and technologies to healthcare have been widely promoted as offering revolutionary improvements and efficiencies in clinical practice and health services organisation. Practical applications of AI in public health are now emerging and receiving similar attention. This paper provides an overview of the issues and examples of research that help separate the potential from the hype. Methods Selective review and analysis of cross-section of relevant literature. Results Great potential exists for the use of AI in public health practice and research. This includes immediate applications in improving health education and communication directly with the public, as well as great potential for the productive use of generative AI through chatbots and virtual assistants in health communication. AI also has applications in disease surveillance and public health science, for example in improving epidemic and pandemic early warning systems, in synthetic data generation, in sequential decision-making in uncertain conditions (reinforcement learning) and in disease risk prediction. Most published research examining these and other applications is at a fairly early stage, making it difficult to separate the probable benefits from the hype. This research is undoubtedly demonstrating great potential but also identifying challenges, for example in the quality and relevance of health information being produced by generative AI; in access, trust and use of the technology by different populations; and in the practical application of AI to support disease surveillance and public health science. There are real risks that current access and patterns of use may exacerbate existing inequities in health and that the orientation towards the personalisation of health advice may divert attention away from underlying social and economic determinants of health. Conclusions Realising the potential of AI not only requires further research and experimentation but also careful consideration of its ethical implications and thoughtful regulation. This will ensure that advances in these technologies serve the best interests of individuals and communities worldwide and don't exacerbate existing health inequalities.