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As the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to expand across industries, its potential to revolutionize health behavior change programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is becoming a focal point of global health conversations. Yet, according to a report by Isabelle Amazon-Brown at The MERL Tech Initiative, we’re still in the early stages of this technological revolution, especially when it comes to health behavior change.

In her May 2024 article, “Is GenAI Really Revolutionizing Social and Behavior Change Programming? Insights from 50 Practitioners,” Amazon-Brown explores the current state and future potential of AI in social and behavior change (SBC) initiatives. The article underscores that, while AI-powered tools are beginning to make inroads in LMICs, the field remains in its infancy and the reality on the ground is more nuanced.

AI-powered tools are beginning to make inroads in several areas of health behavior change programming. Q&A chatbots, for instance, are being deployed to provide 24/7 support for pregnancy journeys and disease management, adapting their advice based on each user’s progress and challenges. AI algorithms are already in use to analyze local health data, helping to identify at-risk populations for targeted interventions. These tools are also starting to assist in scaling successful programs by personalizing content for different languages and cultures, making health education more accessible and engaging.

A particularly promising application of AI, as noted in our June AI and Global Health discussion, involves supporting community health workers. AI-powered tools can offer real-time guidance during home visits, helping community health workers provide better quality care in resource-limited settings. The hope is that AI can amplify the reach and effectiveness of these initiatives, offering a way to make limited resources go further in improving public health outcomes.

Yet, significant challenges remain. Access to technology is still limited in many LMICs, and concerns about data privacy, cultural adaptation, and the risk of AI overshadowing human touch in health interventions are valid and pressing. There is also an urgent need to ensure that AI complements, rather than replaces, existing evidence-based approaches to behavior change.

These issues will be at the heart of the December 3 convening, “Smart Health, Smart Choices: Leveraging AI for Behavior Change in Global Health,” organized by the Alliance in collaboration with Population Services International (PSI). The event will serve as the final convening of the Alliance’s 2024 AI and Global Health Discussion Series. The event will bring together practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to examine when and how AI and SBC can be most effectively and responsibly deployed in LMICs.

Confirmed speakers include Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, Chief Digital Advisor at the Africa CDC, and Rachel Sibande, Senior Officer for Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Please register to join us virtually on December 3 from 6:30-8:00 PM GMT+3 / 7:30-9:00 AM PT. 

Organizers hope the convening will facilitate candid conversations and yield actionable insights to ensure that the integration of AI into health behavior change programs is done thoughtfully, ethically, and with a focus on improving health outcomes in the communities that need it most.

As AI continues to evolve, such dialogues are critical to navigating the complex terrain of technology and public health, ensuring that AI’s transformative potential is harnessed responsibly to create healthier futures for all.

The Alliance is grateful to Pfizer as lead sponsor of the 2024 AI and Global Health Discussion Series.