About the Alliance’s AI and Global Health Series:

The intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Global Health holds enormous potential to revolutionize healthcare, improve access to medical services, and address global health challenges. Leveraging AI technologies, such as machine learning, large language models, natural language processing, and robotics, offers innovative solutions that can positively impact healthcare systems worldwide. 

Following the Alliance’s panel on AI during its 2023 Annual Meeting, and the Alliance’s participation in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Roundtable on AI and Global Health in October 2023 and the White House OSTP AI Aspirations Conference in June 2024, members have requested further convenings to understand opportunities and implications for their work. Several members of the Bay Area Global Health Alliance have already started integrating AI into their organizations and programs and are focused on how best to ensure the responsible and ethical implementation of AI in their initiatives. 

To explore and understand this dynamic field, the Bay Area Global Health Alliance, with thanks to lead sponsor Pfizer, is hosting a Discussion Series on AI and Global Health, designed to profile a range of use cases to highlight how Alliance members and partners are augmenting their efforts through this rapidly evolving technology. This interactive series will showcase members who have started integrating AI into their programs and explore how best to ensure the responsible and ethical implementation of AI in their initiatives. It hopes to provide paths forward for those new to AI and those who are well-versed in the emerging technologies.

2025 Series Convenings:

Session #1: September 9, 2025: AI-Assisted Ultrasound: Bridging Innovation and Access in Low-Resource Settings; moderated by Dilys Walker, Director of Global Health Research at UCSF’s Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, and featuring speakers from AMPATH Kenya, Gates Foundation, GUSI, and Philips Ultrasound. Watch and read more about insights and panelists.

Session #2: October 14, 2025: Strengthening Primary Care Access: AI and Pharmacies; moderated by Josh Ruxin, Co-Founder of Goodlife Healthy and Beauty, and featuring speakers from CZ Biohub SF, The Global Fund, and Society for Family Health (SFH) Rwanda. Watch and read more about insights and panelists.

Additional Sessions: December 3-5, 2025: We will be co-hosting several focused events at the Global Digital Health Forum with select members and partners, diving deep into AI and global health insights that will directly inform our 2026 AI learning agenda. Following GDHF, the Alliance will develop an insights report pulling together key takeaways from various sessions on AI and digital health, supply chains, and use-cases for oncology and vaccines.

• December 5, 2025: Digital Interfaces to Spur Behaviour Change in Health Among Adolescents in Kenya & Beyond; co-sponsored by the eHealth Africa, Reach Digital Health, PSI, along with speakers from Africa CDC, the Population Council, and Community Innovation Hub.

2024 Series Convenings:

Session #1: February 28, 2024: AI Demystified: Practical Insights and Real-World Applications; kicked off with a Fireside Chat with Bill Weeks, Director of AI for Health at Microsoft. Watch and read more about insights and panelists.

Session #2: May 9, 2024: Navigating Imperfect Data: Challenges and Solutions for AI-Powered Healthcare in Low-Resource Settings; opening conversation with Rebecca Distler, Strategist for AI, Data, and Digital Health at the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation. Watch and read on about insights and panelists.

Session #3: June 25, 2024: Empowering Frontline Health Workers with AI: Navigating Pitfalls and Possibilities; started off with research presented by Elina Urli Hodges, Assistant Director of Programs at the Duke Global Health Innovation Center and Innovations in Healthcare. Watch and read more about insights and panelists.

Session #4: December 3, 2024: Smart Health, Smart Choices: Leveraging AI for Behavior Change in Global Health; held virtually and in-person in Nairobi, the discussion featured opening remarks from Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, chief digital advisor at Africa CDC and a fireside chat with Rachel Sibande, senior program officer for artificial intelligence – Africa at the Gates Foundation. Watch and read more about insights and panelists.

Special thanks to Pfizer, sponsor of the Alliance’s AI and Global Health Discussion Series.