The potential roles and risks of Artificial Intelligence in public health: A scoping review
Abstract
Abstract Background Artificial intelligence (AI) is a broad field encompassing various techniques, which include algorithms that learn from data to perform automated tasks without explicit human programming. Public health aims to protect and improve the health of communities and populations at local, regional, national, and global level, but typically suffers from limited resources. AI may lead to improved efficiency or effectiveness of public health interventions, but there needs to be appropriate consideration of the risks of implementation. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify the potential roles and risks of AI in public health. Methods We searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science (Core Collection), and Scopus for relevant reports published between 01 January 2020 and 08 September 2025. Two reviewers independently screened reports. Eligible reports were primary studies, reviews, opinion pieces, commentaries, and editorials relevant to high income countries. Data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by a second. We combined substantively similar potential roles and risks by narrative theme across reports. We refined the protocol and gained feedback on initial findings from stakeholder consultation with 9 people from Health Determinants Research Collaborations, and 9 people from data science institutes, public health agencies, and national Local Government networks. Results We screened 1,805 records and 320 full texts, including 67 reports. These reports…
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