AI for Public Health
Driving innovation by integrating secure, ethical, and effective AI and digital solutions to revolutionize education, research, and practice in academic public health.
ASPPH’s Leadership: Task Force for Responsible and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence
In response to growing global interest in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen healthcare systems and respond to public health threats, ASPPH established the Task Force for the Responsible and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Research, Practice, and Education, to develop promising practices for the responsible and ethical use of AI in public health education, research, and practice. Grounded in four pillars – teaching and learning, education, practice, and policy – the task force explores how technology can enhance public health through data literacy, scalable infrastructure, and equitable access. Its goal is to ensure AI adoption prioritizes safety, accountability, and innovation while preparing the next generation for a tech-enabled public health workforce.
Why Responsible and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence Matters
Embracing the Future
This work is critical as technology rapidly transforms how we teach, learn, and practice public health. Without a coordinated and ethical approach, we risk falling behind in preparing students and professionals for a digitally interconnected world and workforce. The taskforce ensures that academic public health remains agile, impactful, and forward-looking in the face of accelerating technological change.
AI presents powerful opportunities:
- Improving public health surveillance and crisis response
- Advancing personalized, data-driven education
- Enabling efficient, equitable allocation of healthcare resources
However, it also introduces significant challenges:
- Data privacy and security risks
- Potential for algorithmic bias and inequity
- Gaps in technical and ethical training
This initiative is a proactive effort to establish shared principles and protocols to ensure AI strengthens, not undermines, public health values.
Task Force Goals
Review existing AI policies and guidelines across ASPPH member institutions and national/global bodies
Develop a framework of best practices for the ethical, responsible, and safe use of AI in public health education, research, and practice
Propose recommendations for institutional policy, regulatory alignment, and future-ready AI workforce development
Foster collaboration between academia, government, technology partners, and global public health organizations
Key Areas of Focus
Key areas of focus for the task force are based on ASPPH’s Technology Framework. The framework was developed by the Technology Advisory Committee when evaluating technology for the academic enterprise, whether the latest in AI, machine learning, robotics, or trusted data analytics systems, institutional leaders must consider these four pillars of a comprehensive public health technology landscape.
Teaching & Learning
How technologies can be used in the classroom to enhance student engagement and interaction
Education
Preparing students with the skills they need in a tech-enabled field
Practice
Responsibly applying technology in the field
Policy, Regulatory & Architectural Frameworks
Delivering scalable, resilient, and secured technology services
Resource
Incorporating AI into the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
We recently hosted a session in the ASPPH Presents webinar series, Incorporating GenAI into the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, which explored how Generative AI can enhance student engagement, critical thinking, and evidence-based learning in public health education.
The session highlighted practical ways to use GenAI to support student-centered learning and prepare students for a tech-enabled workforce.
Process and Timeline
| Phase | Timeline | Activities | Status |
| Task force Formation | Spring 2025 | Recruitment of multidisciplinary experts and collaborators | Completed |
| Discovery & Consultation | Summer 2025 | Collaborator interviews, policy reviews, and survey of ASPPH member institutions | Completed |
| Draft Framework Development | Fall 2025 | Development of a preliminary framework based on gathered insights | Outline completed. Draft framework in progress. |
| Community Feedback Period | Early 2026 | Circulation of draft for feedback from the academic and public health community | — |
| Final Report Publication | Summer 2026 | Release of the final framework and guidance toolkit for implementation | — |
Technology Advisory Committee
The ASPPH Technology Advisory Committee focuses on the role of technology innovation in advancing education in public health, our members’ research mission, and public health practice. The committee also seeks to promote the adoption of and provides guidance on the equitable, ethical, and responsible use of technology within the academic public health enterprise.
Chair, ASPPH Technology Advisory Committee
Get Involved
This effort depends on inclusive input from the academic, student, and public health communities. Whether you’re a public health educator, researcher, student, policymaker, or community advocate, your voice matters. If you’re interested in staying informed, providing feedback, or getting notified when the task force report is ready, please sign up below.
AI Task Force Members
Ashish Joshi
PhD, MBBS, MPH
Chair
Dean, and Distinguished University Professor, University of Memphis School of Public Health
Associate Professor of Public Health, Andrews University School of Population Health, Nutrition & Wellness
Jessica Kruger
PhD, MCHES
Director, Teaching Innovation and Excellence, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo
Chair, Department of Public Health and Health Sciences; Professor
Public Health and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Bouvé College of Health Sciences
Chair & Associate Professor, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, St. George’s University
Assistant Director of CRM, Administrative and Web Services
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Director, Master of Public Health Program
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Program in Public Health
Professor of Professional Practice in Public Health Sciences
Director of the Online MPH Program, University of Miami Department of Health Sciences
Assistant Professor, Director of the Data Science Program, College of Global Population Health at UHSP in St. Louis
Assistant Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health
Associate Professor
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University at Albany College of Integrated Health Sciences
Dean, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health
Dean, School of Health Sciences, Walden University College of Health Sciences and Public Policy
Assistant Dean for Academic Innovation & Professorial Lecturer, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health
Digital Learning Support Specialist, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
ASPPH Staff
Chief Information Officer
Senior Director of Innovation and Strategy