AI Use In Public Health Should Be A ‘How,’ Not An ‘If

A growing number of public health agencies are adopting artificial intelligence (AI), but workforce training, leadership support and responsible-use policies remain key challenges, speakers said during an APHA 2026 session on Nov. 4.

Citing a 2025 Association of State and Territorial Health Officials survey, presenters reported that about one-third of state and local health departments do not use AI, while adoption among those that do remains largely limited to administrative tasks and report development.

About two-thirds of state health departments have AI-use policies. Speakers highlighted the need to address bias, equity, accuracy and environmental impacts as adoption expands. Read more from APHA here.