The University of Arizona has launched an initiative to explore how artificial intelligence can be used in public health using the tool “enables researchers to collect digital data from multiple sources and analyze them quickly.”
“We train the next generation of public health professionals to use AI ethically and effectively in all communities,” Dr. Imanhakim, dean of UA's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Colleges, said in a news release.
“Our university already uses AI in its research and programs, providing students with hands-on experience. We provide tools, experience and space to explore ways that AI can help us do our best.
The University of Public Health has launched an AI Public Health Initiative with new courses and research projects. It is part of UA's $20 million investment in strategic research areas, including “enhancing biomedical discovery and healthcare outcomes through artificial intelligence and machine learning,” according to a UA news release.
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As part of its focus on AI in public health, UA brought internationally recognized AI and data science expert David Ebert to the university's first Chief AI and Data Science Officer.
The initiative – working with UA's Global Health and Data Science Institute – also includes the first public health and AI summer school training program with a four-day workshop to explore how AI can be used in public health with available tools.
The training programme featured UA experts such as Onicio Leal Neto, Dr. Marvin Slepian and Nirav Merchant, introducing the fundamentals of AI and discussed topics such as ethical and legal considerations regarding AI use, the use of machine learning in patient care, and challenges in government use. Industry leaders, county and state officials also spoke on the program.
The idea was for participants to understand the relevance of AI and applications for public health operations such as monitoring, forecasting, risk forecasting and management tasks.
The theme throughout the workshop week was that AI could be extremely useful, but that it is necessary to use transparent, responsible, safe, effective and fair in informed consent and human surveillance.
“We're entering a very non-political environment,” said Slepian, a regent professor of medicine, medical imaging and surgery at UA's medical school. “We are responsible for putting regulations ahead of time. We need the law in advance so there's no hassle afterwards.”
Slepian, who runs the Arizona Center for Accelerated Biomedical Innovation and is also a member of UA's Bio5 Institute, said AI is the buzzword of 2025 and won't go anywhere.
The summer program was the brainchild of Neto, an assistant professor of digital epidemiology at the University of Public Health. Interest in the program attracted over 3,100 people internationally on the registered website, excited Neto, from a variety of areas.
The program had 52 participants and a waiting list, but initially was supposed to turn 25.
Neto said it hopes to create additional AI summer programs and hopes to hold an international summit on the topic.
“We try our best to put students in a better position as soon as they get out of the program.”
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Reporter Prelana Sannapanaval covers higher education at the Arizona Daily Star Tucson.com. Contact her at pshannappa1@tucson.com or DM her Twitter.
