Ethical AI in public health: a global path to reduce inequalities

Ethical AI in public health: a global path to reduce inequalities | Photo: SHSPH Research Day

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into public health research holds transformative potential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which champions good health and well-being, and SDG 10, which seeks to reduce inequalities. As global health challenges persist, from pandemics to disparities in healthcare access, AI offers innovative solutions to enhance diagnostics, predict outbreaks, and optimise resource allocation. Yet, without ethical frameworks, these technologies risk perpetuating biases and widening inequalities, particularly in low-income regions.

Addressing this demands a concerted effort to align AI with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, ensuring inclusivity and fairness in health outcomes. By prioritising ethical AI, the global community can bridge the digital divide and uphold the SDG principle of leaving no one behind.

Ethical AI frameworks for equitable health outcomes

On 23 July 2025, the SHSPH Research Day showcased pioneering efforts to integrate ethical AI into public health, aligning with SDGs 3 and 10. Researchers presented projects leveraging AI to improve healthcare delivery in underserved communities, focusing on bias mitigation in data-driven solutions. These initiatives, led by academic institutions, underscore the importance of ethical frameworks to prevent AI from exacerbating inequalities. For instance, AI models trained on non-representative datasets can misdiagnose conditions in marginalised populations, as seen in early COVID-19 algorithms that underperformed for ethnic minorities. By contrast, the SHSPH projects employed diverse datasets and transparent algorithms, ensuring equitable health interventions.

The global trend of AI in public health is accelerating. A 2024 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that AI applications in healthcare could reduce diagnostic errors by up to 20% and improve access to care in remote areas by 30%. Yet, the same report highlighted that 60% of AI health tools lack robust ethical guidelines, risking unintended consequences. In low-income countries, where only 10% of the population has reliable internet access (ITU, 2025), the digital divide compounds these challenges. Academic initiatives like SHSPH’s are critical in addressing this gap, developing frameworks that prioritise transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.

A key challenge remains: the absence of standardised global guidelines for ethical AI in health research. Without harmonised regulations, implementation varies widely, with high-income nations outpacing others. The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI (2021) provides a starting point, advocating for human rights-centric AI design, but its adoption in health contexts is uneven. This underscores the need for international collaboration to ensure AI serves all communities equitably.

Bridging the gap for global health equity

The promise of AI in public health lies in its ability to democratise care. For example, AI-driven telemedicine platforms have increased access to consultations in sub-Saharan Africa by 25% since 2022 (McKinsey, 2024). However, ethical integration is paramount to avoid reinforcing systemic biases. The SHSPH Research Day highlighted projects using AI to predict disease outbreaks in low-resource settings, employing explainable AI to ensure trust among healthcare providers. Such initiatives align with SDG 10 by reducing disparities in health access and outcomes.

The global society must invest in capacity-building to sustain these efforts. Training local researchers in AI ethics, as seen in SHSPH’s partnerships with African universities, is vital. Additionally, public-private partnerships can scale ethical AI solutions. For instance, the BroadReach Group in Africa uses AI to optimise HIV and TB programmes, achieving a 15% improvement in resource allocation (African Business, 2024). These successes demonstrate how ethical AI can advance SDGs 3 and 10 when guided by inclusivity.

The integration of ethical AI in public health is a cornerstone of sustainable development. To explore further, readers are encouraged to visit the United Nations SDG Resource Centre (sdgresources.relx.com) for insights on AI’s role in global health or the WHO’s Ethics and Governance of AI for Health (who.int) for guidelines on responsible AI. By supporting initiatives like SHSPH’s, the global community can ensure AI becomes a force for equity, advancing the vision of a healthier, fairer world by 2030.

References and more information: https://www.up.ac.za/shsph-research-day