Can AI Transform Global Health? Promise, Progress, and Reality

This session examines the state of AI in global health through a central question: with governments and donors now actively shaping AI policy for health, how do we ensure the evidence base and frontline capacity keep pace with the speed of deployment, and where does hype outpace the evidence? Speakers will explore persistent gaps in health systems, from workforce shortages and delayed diagnostics to fragmented data systems and outbreak preparedness, alongside the growing landscape of AI applications designed to address them. The discussion will critically examine recurring misalignments between donor priorities, technology development, and frontline health worker needs, while also considering the practical realities that shape implementation.

Hosted by the Harvard Global Health Institute and co-organized by the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School.

This webinar is free and open to the public and will conclude with a live Q&A session.