‘For easy access to information’ — WHO launches AI-powered digital health assistant prototype

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a digital health promoter prototype powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI).

In a statement on Wednesday, the global health body said the prototype “smart AI resource assistant for health (SARAH)” was launched in preparation for the 2024 World Health Day (WHD).

The WHD is annually marked on April 7 to draw global attention to specific health topics.

This year’s event will be commemorated under the theme “My Health, My Right”.

The organisation said SARAH would provide information across major health topics, including healthy habits and mental health, to help people to optimise their well-being.

The WHO added that the digital health promoter would also provide additional tool for people to realise their health rights wherever they are, engaging users 24 hours a day in eight languages on multiple health topics, on any device.

“SARAH has the ability to support people in developing a better understanding of risk factors for some of the leading causes of death in the world, including cancer, heart disease, lung disease and diabetes,“ the statement reads.

“It can help people access up-to-date information on quitting tobacco, being active, eating a healthy diet, and de-stressing, among other things.”

The WHO said the prototype is powered by generative AI, rather than a pre-set algorithm or script, helping to provide more accurate responses in real-time.

“WHO calls for continued research on this new technology to explore potential benefits to public health and to better understand the challenges,” the statement added.

“While AI has enormous potential to strengthen public health, it also raises important ethical concerns, including equitable access, privacy, safety and accuracy, data protection, and bias.

“Continuous evaluation and refinement as part of this project emphasize WHO’s dedication to bringing health information closer to people while maintaining the highest standards of ethics and evidence-based content.

”Developers, policymakers and health care providers need to address these ethics and human rights issues when developing and deploying AI to ensure that all people can benefit from it.”

Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, said “the future of health is digital” noting that the organisation is resolved to support countries to harness the power of technologies for health.

“S.A.R.A.H. gives us a glimpse of how Artificial Intelligence could be used in future to improve access to health information in a more interactive way,” Ghebreyesus said.

“I call on the research community to help us continue to explore how this technology could narrow inequities and help people access up-to-date, reliable health information.”