Artificial intelligence in health care: laying the Foundation for Responsible, sustainable, and inclusive innovation in low- and middle-income countries

Global Health. 2020 Jun 24;16(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12992-020-00584-1.

Abstract

The World Health Organization and other institutions are considering Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a technology that can potentially address some health system gaps, especially the reduction of global health inequalities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, because most AI-based health applications are developed and implemented in high-income countries, their use in LMICs contexts is recent and there is a lack of robust local evaluations to guide decision-making in low-resource settings. After discussing the potential benefits as well as the risks and challenges raised by AI-based health care, we propose five building blocks to guide the development and implementation of more responsible, sustainable, and inclusive AI health care technologies in LMICs.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Digital health; Global health; Human security; Innovation; Low- and middle-income countries; Public health; Universal health coverage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence*
  • Developing Countries*
  • Global Health*
  • Health Facilities
  • Health Resources
  • Humans
  • Income
  • Poverty
  • World Health Organization

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