Public Health’s Inflection Point with Generative AI

Scientific innovation has played a crucial role in advancing public health throughout history, with milestones such as the development of vaccines and antibiotics. Now, the emergence of generative AI (gen AI) offers new opportunities for public health. Gen AI can enhance engagement with communities, synthesize insights for better decision-making, and create tailored content.

Its application spans various sectors, including pharmaceuticals and healthcare, benefiting public health stakeholders such as government institutions, donors, and researchers. Despite its potential, effective risk and change management, along with skill-building efforts, are crucial for successful implementation and sustained value as gen AI pilots scale. This article by McKinsey outlines potential use cases in service delivery, outbreak response, product R&D, and foundational public health domains, offering insights for organizations considering gen AI adoption.